Nadal is playing in Hamburg for the first time since 2008, when he lifted the trophy with victory over Roger Federer, as the left-hander looks to breathe life back into his flagging season.
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Spanish seventh seed Pablo Carreno Busta began the day’s programme under clear skies after Wednesday’s poor weather, putting out former finalist Robin Haase of the Netherlands 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 to line up against Thiem.
Second-seeded Tommy Robredo also needed three sets to advance, rallying for a 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-2 win over wild card entry Alexander Zverev. Paire has won his last seven matches.
Quarterfinal opponent Pablo Cuevas should offer a welcome change of pace for Rafael Nadal as the top seed continues to attempt to build some confidence at the bet-at-home Open.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal signs autographs after winning his match at the Hamburg Open in northern Germany.
After starting the next set in exactly the same way, Nadal later squandered a match point due to a careless double fault before atoning for that error in a comfortable tie-break. The momentum continued on to the third with Nadal taking the match after almost two hours of play.
The 33-year-old Fish says he wished he could have played better, but added: “It’s just nice to finish on my own terms”.
In Gstaad, the top 8 seeds all made the quarters with No. 1 David Goffin and No. 2 Feliciano Lopez leading the way on the Swiss clay.
British number two Aljaz Bedene saw his run in the competition come to an end as Fabio Fognini overcame him 6-4 7-5, despite the Italian having problems with his serve.
The 2009 US Open champion added: “This week I began rehab and did some light workout”.
Seppi beat Martin Klizan and Florian Mayer before getting a quarterfinal walkover from countryman Simone Bolelli.
And China’s Yang Zhaoxuan is out after losing in straight sets to Russian Margarita Gasparyan.
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It would be an upset if Nadal doesn’t end up winning the German tournament and improve his standing in the rankings.
