Nine-time winner Rafael Nadal defeats Argentine Horacio Zeballos in other semi-final
Sunday 30 April 2017 18:54, UK
Dominic Thiem recorded the biggest win of his career as he ended world No 1 Andy Murray's hopes of reaching the final of the Barcelona Open.
Murray, who entered the tournament to get more matches under his belt as he works his way back from an elbow injury, has gradually been improving over the course of the week, but was unable to cope with the powerful young Austrian in a brutal battle.
Fourth seed Thiem notched his third British scalp of the week after knocking out Kyle Edmund and Dan Evans, and sealed a famous 6-2 3-6 6-4 win in two hours and 15 minutes to reach Sunday's final where he could meet nine-time winner Rafael Nadal.
Top-ranked Murray returned to action last week in Monte Carlo after more than a month on the sidelines but, having beaten Gilles Muller in his opening match, lost to Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
He gained revenge over the Spaniard on Friday, but his hopes of claiming his fourth clay court crown were ended by 23-year-old, who will be looking to land his second ATP Tour title of the year having won in Rio earlier this year.
This was Thiem's first win over Murray in three attempts, but both of their previous two contests had gone to three sets and this was another scrap.
Murray was broken in the first game of the match, and he struggled to get into his stride as he dropped his serve three times in the set, Thiem ruthlessly converting three out of three break points, to his opponent's one.
The Austrian's fierce hitting was proving too much for Murray, although momentum swung in the eighth game of the set as Murray broke decisively for a 5-3 lead before seeing it out to level at 1-1.
Murray won his fourth game on the trot with an early break at the start of the third set, but Thiem stopped the rot by breaking straight back.
Murray faced break points at 3-2 down in the decider and Thiem duly moved 4-2 in front.
But the Scott had 0-30 and 15-40 in the next game and made the most of the chance to break straight back
Murray served to stay in match at 4-5, but, when he went way long with a smash to hand Thiem a match point, he closed out the contest.
"In the first set, I didn't have many chances, but I started to play better in the second," said Murray on the ATP website.
"It was quite windy out there and difficult to get into a rhythm. He started to hit the ball pretty hard and was pushing me back.
"When the conditions are like that, it's important to be the one dictating the points. I started to do a better job of that, but in that last game I missed a couple of shots I shouldn't have."
Home favourite Nadal remained on course for his 10th title in the Catalan capital after defeating Argentine Horacio Zeballos 6-3 6-4 in the other semi-final.
For those on the move, we will have the Barcelona Open final covered via our website skysports.com/tennis, our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @skysportstennis for news, reports, live blogs and expert analysis with updates on Sky Sports News HQ.
Non-subscribers can grab a NOW TV Sky Sports Day Pass for just £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99. No contract. You can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
