Alexander Zverev ended his winless streak on clay against Rafael Nadal on Friday, keeping the Spaniard from winning a sixth Madrid Open. Zverev defeated Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals, picking up his third consecutive win over the 20-time Grand Slam champion — but first on clay.

“Beating Rafa on a clay court is the hardest thing in our sport,” Zverev said. “Not many people have done it. This week so far it’s been incredible for me. It’s an incredible feeling right now.”

“Playing against one of the best players in the world, under these circumstances, with this speed of the court, is very difficult to still (feel) confident,” Nadal said. “I tried, but the serve was difficult to control today. Well done for him.”

Zverev will next face Dominic Thiem in a rematch of the 2018 final. Thiem defeated John Isner 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.“He is one of the best servers in history, especially here in the altitude. His serve is bouncing so high and it’s so difficult to return,” Thiem said.

“Against guys like him, a few points decide the match,” he added.