Madrid Open: Dominic Thiem makes Rafael Nadal claim ahead of Alexander Zverev final
DOMINIC THIEM insists his confidence has surged going into the Madrid Open final after downing Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.
Dominic Thiem is in his second successive Madrid Open final
The Austrian takes on Germany's Alexander Zverev in the final today (5.30pm UK time) in the Spanish capital after beating Kevin Anderson in the semi-finals.
World No 7 Thiem also reached the final in Madrid last year, where he was beaten by Nadal.
But the 24-year-old - who ended world No 1 Nadal’s 21-match winning run on clay in the last eight on Friday - has admitted it wasn’t until then that he believed he could repeat the feat this season.
Thiem’s improved self-belief showed against Anderson, whom he had previously struggled against until beating the South African for the first time in their seventh meeting.
Dominic Thiem is looking for his maiden Masters 1000 title in Madrid
Dominic Thiem overcame Kevin Anderson in the semi-finals
It’s my second Masters 1000 final and it’s an amazing thing for me. I want to bring home the first title.
“I really worked well the first two matches. I didn’t have a lot of confidence. I built it up yesterday [vs Nadal] and today [vs Anderson],” Thiem told ATP World Tour.
“It’s my second Masters 1000 final and it’s an amazing thing for me.
“But of course I want to bring home the first title, but it’s going to be tough against a young gun.”
Madrid Open: Dominic Thiem defeats Rafael Nadal
Dominic Thiem brought Rafael Nadal's stunning run of form to a screeching halt
On overcoming Anderson, Thiem added: “It was very difficult. It was a completely different match-up than yesterday.
“I had also a different game style yesterday. I was returning way closer to the line today, very far back. That’s what I did very good from the beginning.
“It was a very concentrated match for me, except one game at 5-4 in the first set.
“I’m super happy and it’s extraordinary to be twice in the finals in two years.”