The Austrian has been regularly matched against Nadal this clay season and he thought it best that it should culminate in the clay major in Paris.
So not only did young Dominic upset the second seed and defending champion, he thrashed Djokovic in straight sets, the second and third effectively teaching classes to an already highly credentialed craftsman. Revenge for last years semi final defeat here.
In an eighteen point marathon game Djokovic finally held for 3-2 in the opening set, saving a break point in the process. The disappointment was too much for Thiem and he dropped serve the next game, giving Djokovic a 4-2 lead and possibly the first set.
However three forehand winners in the eighth game set up a return break and Thiem levelled at 4-4.
A tie break had to separate the two and it was Thiem, with his ability to break down the Serb backhand, who celebrated a seven points to five triumph and an opening set win 7-6.
After that it was destruction of the Djokovic game, the extent to which was unfathomable. Novak himself admitted the obvious '...I'm not playing close to my best...'.
Thiiem hit the second seed off the court 7-6 (5) 6-3 6-0 and will fancy his chances against Nadal, having beaten him in the Rome quarters just a couple of weeks back.
Nadal had an easier path to the semi match up, eliminating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-2 2-0. Pablo unfortunately suffered an injury to his abdomen and had to retire early into the second set.
The second semi final will be Murray v Wawrinka as per last year, after Andy saw off Kei Nishikori in four sets, dropping the opener, and Stan crushed Marin Cilic 6-3 6-3 6-1. Wawrinka is displaying the kind of form which won him the title in 2015. However, Nadal had been beaten in the quarters that year - he is still around this year and running hot.
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