By Daily Sports on May 7, 2018

Dominic Thiem believes that a ‘bunch of players’ would have the opportunity to defeat Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open, although the Spaniard remains the firm favourite.

The world No. 1 is on a 19-match winning streak since Thiem beat him in Rome last season, wrapping up titles at Roland Garros, Monte-Carlo and Barcelona without dropping a set.

Thiem was the only man to secure a victory over the 16-time Grand Slam champion in 2017 and no one has really come close this year.

But despite Nadal’s dominance, Thiem believes the conditions in both Madrid and Rome will open the door to other ATP stars to get one over on the defending champion at the Caja Magica.

“It’s one of the most difficult things in sport to do that but on a good day for some players I think it’s possible,’ he said ahead of his first match of the tournament.

“Especially here in Madrid and in Rome. I think the chances are the highest. Out of all the clay-court tournaments, I think here and in Rome it’s the most difficult for him.

“Of course, he’s still playing amazing also in these tournaments but for the other players it’s getting a little bit easier because it’s faster and there’s a higher bounce.

“There are a little bit better chances I would say than in Monte-Carlo for example I would say because it’s just faster and a little bit higher bounce and it’s a bunch of players who have chances. Of course, he’s the top favourite. If everything goes normal, he’s going to win the tournament I would say.”

So how can these players do it?

“It’s from the first moment on, he doesn’t give you any air to breathe so if you want to beat him or if you want to compete well with him you have to do the same,’ Thiem added.

“You have to be on fire from the first moment on. Or if you don’t do that, it happens like what happened to me in Monte-Carlo – he just kills you, you know?

“But chances are there if you’re playing at a high level from the first moment on.”

Thiem is due to meet Nadal in the quarter-finals and will begin his campaign against either Federico Delbonis or Mischa Zverev. (Metro UK)

•Photo shows Thiem

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 7, 2018

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