Nadal 'bagelled' but survives Thiem test to reach semis

Sept 4 2018; New York, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after beating Dominic Thiem of Austria in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Defending champion Rafa Nadal failed to win a single game in the opening set of his U.S. Open quarter-final against Dominic Thiem on Tuesday but fought back to beat the Austrian 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7(4) 7-6(5) in a match that ended after 2 a.m. in New York.

Nadal won 40 percent of his first serves in the opener as he struggled with the high humidity on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, with Thiem becoming the first player to 'bagel' the Spaniard at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick 14 years ago.

Sep 4, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain hits to Dominic Thiem of Austria in a quarter-final match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY SPORTS

"It's been a great battle," an exhausted Nadal said. "The conditions were tough, very humid for me."

Thiem, who lost to Nadal in the French Open final but had beaten the Spaniard three times in 10 previous meetings, struck 74 winners, including 24 with his stylish single-handed backhand, to keep the champion under constant pressure.

"I'm very sorry for Dominic," Nadal added. "He's a close friend on tour, a great guy and I wish him the very best ... He is young and has plenty of time to win tournaments."

Sept 4 2018; New York, NY, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria hits to Rafael Nadal of Spain in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

After Nadal roared back to take a 2-1 lead, the fourth set went to a tiebreak. Thiem raced to a 3-0 lead before Nadal fought back, but the Austrian held his nerve to level the match.

There were no breaks of serve in the deciding set and a second tiebreak ensued. The two were neck-in-neck at 5-5 when Nadal carved out a match point with his forehand.

Thiem's wayward overhead smash handed the match to Nadal, who stood midcourt with his head thrown back and arms raised in the air in celebration.

Sept 4 2018; New York, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain hugs Dominic Thiem of Austria after a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

"It's going to be stuck in my mind forever," Thiem said.

"I'm going to remember this match, for sure. It's cruel sometimes tennis, because I think this match didn't really deserve a loser. But there has to be one.

"If we skip the first set, it was a really open match from beginning to the end. The way it ended up in the fifth set tiebreaker, from there it's 50-50. He made one more point than me."

Sep 4, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain has a forehand against Dominic Thiem of Austria (not pictured) in a quarter-final match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Nadal paid tribute to the crowd for hanging on until the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"Thank you very much everybody for staying here tonight," Nadal said after the four hour, 49 minute marathon.

"It's been an amazing feeling. I'm playing a lot of hours this year at this beautiful stadium."

Sep 4, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria serves against Rafael Nadal of Spain (not pictured) in a quarter-final match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Next up for the top seed is a semi-final clash with big-serving Argentine and third seed Juan Martin del Potro.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Sep 4, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Dominic Thiem of Austria (not pictured) in a quarter-final match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 4, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria wipes the sweat from his face in a quarter-final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY SPORTS

Sept 4 2018; New York, NY, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain hits to Dominic Thiem of Austria in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Sept 4 2018; New York, NY, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria hits to Rafael Nadal of Spain in a quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports