BUENOS AIRES — Former world number one Rafa Nadal wasted a match point as he slipped to a surprise semi-final loss to Austrian Dominic Thiem on his beloved clay at the Argentina Open on Saturday.
The defending champion was one point away from victory at 5-4 in the third on Thiem's serve but the Austrian rallied, forcing a tiebreak which he controlled from the off to take the contest 6-4 4-6 7-6(4).
"It was an amazing match for me," world number 19 Thiem said.
"It was very tight from the beginning. It’s special to play against the big guys, and to beat one is a dream come true.