Dethroning the King of Clay: Can Dominic Thiem upset Rafael Nadal in French Open final?

Austria’s Dominic Thiem is aiming to spring a huge shock on Sunday when he meets Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open at Roland-Garros.

Fourth seed Thiem booked a final spot with an epic five-set win over world number one Novak Djokovic in a match that was spread across two days due to weather delays.

Nadal, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, heads into Sunday’s showpiece having had a full day’s extra rest and recovery after his straightforward semifinal victory over Roger Federer on Friday.

Sunday’s meeting between Thiem, 25, and Nadal, 33, is a repeat of last year’s final at Roland-Garros, which the Spaniard won in straight sets to clinch a record-extending 11th French Open title.

© Global Look Press / Paul Zimmer

This time round, it will similarly take something extra special from the Austrian to stand any chance against a man universally acclaimed as the greatest ever to play the game on clay.

So, what chance does Thiem stand of victory?

The stats make bleak reading for the Austrian – or indeed anyone facing Nadal in his clay-court element.

The Spaniard first tasted glory in the final on the hallowed Roland-Garros courts in 2005, and has won 11 of the last 14 titles there.

© Global Look Press via ZUMA Press

Nadal, seeded second this year, has never lost in the final at the French Open, and aside from last year’s straight sets win over Thiem he also has two other straight sets wins over the Austrian under his belt in Paris.   

Incredibly, Nadal’s career record at the French Open reads 92 wins and just two defeats.

But, there is a glimmer of hope for Thiem, himself a clay court specialist.

The Austrian is widely recognized as being an improved player from last year, and heads into the encounter ranked fourth in the world.

He proved his grit and determination against Djokovic – himself arguably the most dogged competitor out there – by prevailing in four-hour semifinal, despite a wobble in the fifth set that could have changed the outcome.

Thiem has won only four of his 12 meetings with Nadal during his career, but does have the confidence of knowing that he prevailed in their most recent match, beating the Spaniard in the semifinal of the Barcelona Open at the end of April on his way to winning the title.

© AFP / Pau Barrena

While bidding to win a maiden Grand Slam, the Austrian could also become just the second man from his country to win one of the big four men’s singles titles, replicating the success of Thomas Muster at Roland-Garros in 1995.

WHAT TIME IS THE ACTION? 

Play on the Philippe-Chatrier court is due to get underway at 3pm local time (13:00 GMT)