Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Meet the French Open men's finalists

June 09, 2019 14:50 IST

IMAGE: Rafael Nadal, right, with Dominic Thiem. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

A look at the records of Austria's Dominic Thiem and Spain's Rafael Nadal before their title clash at the French Open on Sunday (prefix number denotes seeding):

4-DOMINIC THIEM

Age: 25

 

ATP Ranking: 4 (Highest ranking: 4)

Grand Slam titles: 0

2018 French Open performance: Runner-up

Best French Open performance: Runner-up (2018)

Road to final:

First round: Tommy Paul (U.S.) 6-4 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2

Second round: Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan) 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 7-5

Third round: Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) 6-3 4-6 6-2 7-5

Fourth round: 14-Gael Monfils (France) 6-4 6-4 6-2

Quarter-finals: 10-Karen Khachanov (Russia) 6-2 6-4 6-2

Semi-finals: 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 6-2 3-6 7-5 5-7 7-5

Thiem, who is chasing his maiden Grand Slam crown, ground out a tough victory against top seed Novak Djokovic in a rain-hit semi-final to set up a rematch of last year's title clash with holder Nadal.

The 25-year-old has added aggression to his game in recent months, which has earned him titles in Indian Wells and Barcelona this season, and will look to cause a major upset on Parisian clay.

2-RAFA NADAL

Age: 33

ATP Ranking: 2 (Highest ranking: 1)

Grand Slam titles: 17 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; U.S. Open 2010, 2013, 2017)

2018 French Open performance: Winner

Best French Open performance: Winner (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)

Road to final:

First round: Yannick Hanfmann (Germany) 6-2 6-1 6-3

Second round: Yannick Maden (Germany) 6-1 6-2 6-4

Third round: 27-David Goffin (Belgium) 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-3

Fourth round: Juan Ignacio Londero (Argentina) 6-2 6-3 6-3

Quarter-finals: 7-Kei Nishikori (Japan) 6-1 6-1 6-3

Semi-finals: 3-Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-3 6-4 6-2

Nadal has looked unstoppable in his quest for a record-extending 12th Roland Garros title and was at his ruthless best in his semi-final victory over great rival Roger Federer.

The Spaniard's sparkling run in Paris comes on the back of his Rome title win, which followed semi-final exits in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.

Head to head: Nadal leads 8-4

Last five matches:

2019 Thiem d Nadal 6-4 6-4 (Barcelona, clay)

2018 Nadal d Thiem 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7(4) 7-6(5) (U.S. Open, hard)

2018 Nadal d Thiem 6-4 6-3 6-2 (French Open, clay)

2018 Thiem d Nadal 7-5 6-3 (Madrid, clay)

2018 Nadal d Thiem 6-0 6-2 (Monte Carlo, clay)

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.