Nadal slips to Thiem loss, Almagro finally beats Ferrer

Austria's Dominic Thiem celebrates after defeating Spain's Rafael Nadal in their semi-final tennis match at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, February 13, 2016. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Former world number one Rafa Nadal wasted a match point as he slipped to a surprise semi-final loss to Austrian Dominic Thiem on his beloved clay at the Argentina Open on Saturday.

The defending champion was one point away from victory at 5-4 in the third on Thiem's serve but the Austrian rallied, forcing a tiebreak which he controlled from the off to take the contest 6-4 4-6 7-6(4).