Austrian tennis fans have been aware that Lorenzo Sonego can annoy the big players since the sensational victory of the Italian over world number one Novak Djokovic (Srb) at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna in October 2020. Regardless of this, Dominic Thiem would have slipped up against the world number 33. gladly saved in the round of 16 of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. The sting of the 4: 6, 7: 6 (5), 6: 7 (5) defeat against the local hero was deep because the US Open champion had been on the winning road for a long time in the decisive set.
Thiem led 4: 2, 5: 3 and 40/30, Sonego brilliantly fended off a match point, the game tipped over. “All in all, it was a very, very mixed day,” said Thiem, who nevertheless believes he is on the right track. After all, he had previously reached the semi-finals in Madrid after a seven-week break. There his conqueror Alexander Zverev (D) triumphed, whose run of success was to be stopped five days later in the Rome round of the last eight. “Clay court king Rafael Nadal (Esp) won 6: 3, 6: 4 yesterday.
“Relax a little”
Thiem’s focus is now on the 250cc event in Lyon, which starts on Monday, where the 27-year-old will put in an extra shift before the French Open (from May 30th in Paris).
“Now I will recover a bit and then attack again,” emphasized the Lichtenwörther. He has fond memories of Lyon. There Thiem celebrated one of his 17 tournament victories on the ATP tour to date. On May 26, 2018, he won the final against Frenchman Gilles Simon 3: 6, 7: 6 (1) and 6: 1. To a new one?
The Swiss Roger Federer, on the other hand, prefers his home terrain at the same time and is back in Geneva (category ATP 250). “I feel like a little child who is eager to play. I am very excited,” said the 39-year-old eighth in the world rankings intensive training mode.
Number one is hurt
Ashleigh Barty, number one in women’s tennis, is ringing the alarm bells two weeks before the French Open. The Australian had to throw in the towel in the Rome quarter-finals in a 6-2, 2-1 lead against Coco Gauff (USA), the highly talented winner of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2019. “The pain just got worse, I have to listen to my body,” explained Barty, who is struggling with an injury in her right arm.
There is also no good news from Barbara Haas. For the 25-year-old from Weyer, the quarter-finals of the ITF tournament endowed with $ 60,000 in Saint-Gaudens was the final destination. The world rankings-155. lost to Anna Bondar (WRL No. 267) after 2:59 hours 1: 6, 7: 6 (4), 3: 6. For the Hungarian it was the second victory over Haas within eight days. (Alex)
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