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Novak Djokovic faces Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal against Stefanos Tsitsipas in a semifinal on Saturday at the Mutua Madrid Open. The semifinals of Madrid are the first of this year to place their four players in the Top 10 of the ATP ranking.
Djokovic, seeded, enjoyed an extra day of recovery after ninth seed, Marin Cilic, pulled out of his quarter-finals due to food poisoning. The two-time Madrid champion has not lost a heat this week and has begun to show the form that has allowed him to dominate the ATP circuit for almost a calendar year. He is also much more familiar with the commercial phase of the Masters 1000 events than his opponent. The Serbian participates in his 64th Masters 1000 semifinals, against six for Thiem.
Who will win the last @ FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting between these players?#MMOPEN
– ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) May 11, 2019
Although Thiem remains behind his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry with Djokovic 2-5, he has won his last two games and both were on clay. The fifth-seeded dug deep to save two match points in his thrilling quarter-final victory over fourth-seeded Roger Federer. Having finished finalist in the last two years in Madrid, the Austrian knows what it takes to excel at this event and will be eager to get closer to his first clay-court title, the Masters 1000.
"It was not at its best [when we last played] and now he is still. He has won the last three slams and is at the top of the list. [ATP Rankings]. The challenge could not be bigger, "said Thiem. "It's a very difficult tournament because I only faced good players and tomorrow is another. I will try to continue my current momentum and give the best of myself. "
Second-seeded Nadal leads his FedEx ATP Head2Head rival with Tsitsipas 3-0 and has won all three victories in the last 13 months. The Spaniard has not yet lost his set against the next generation ATP next generation champion and will be confident of his previous success as he continues his 50th Masters 1000 final. Short Manolo Santana has become a playing field for Nadal as the five-time champion prepares for his eleventh semifinal at this event.
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Although Nadal arrived in Madrid without a title in the first four months of the season for the first time since 2004, his prowess on clay was very advanced this week. He played only 16 games in three rounds and was particularly impressive in his quarter-final win against Stan Wawrinka. Nadal won 96% of his service matches (26/27) while leading the tournament with 40% of the winnings (10/25).
The eighth seed, Tsitsipas, is renowned for his ability to play in the big stadiums against the best players in the world. The Greek star has won more matches (26) than anyone in 2019 and is only one game of her fourth final of the season on the ATP tour.
"He's a young player. It has a lot of potential, a lot of energy. He plays well [and] has won many consecutive games. It will be one of those meetings that will be an opportunity, "said Nadal. "He has played well recently and it is an opportunity to test my level of play and confirm the good feelings I've felt today on the pitch."
Thiem will also participate in his doubles semifinal with Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who will face Guido Pella and Joao Sousa.
ORDER OF PLAY – SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019
MANOLO SANTANA from 1.30 pm
WTA Match
Not before 16:00
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs [5] Dominic Thiem (AUT)
Not before 18:30
WTA Match
Not before 9:00 pm
[8] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP)
ARANTXA SANCHEZ NB 17H00
Dominic Thiem (AUT) / Diego Schwartzman (ARG) vs. Guido Pella (ARG) / Joao Sousa (POR)
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