Are all good things four for Dominic Thiem today? Austria’s tennis star will be the favorite in a Grand Slam final for the first time from 10 p.m. (ServusTV and live ticker on nachrichten.at) in the largest tennis arena in the world, New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 27-year-old from Lichtenwörther has already contested a final at this level three times, at the French Open in 2018 and 2019 the world number three failed to Rafael Nadal, the epitome of the clay court king. This year at the Australian Open, the “Dominator” lost in five sets against Novak Djokovic.
This time the opponent is called Alexander Zverev, who is contesting his first major final. In addition to the experience and the balance sheet in head-to-head, the excellent shape curve speaks for Thiem.
“I’ll do everything I can to make this dream come true,” said the Lower Austrian after his brilliant three-set triumph over Daniil Medvedev (Russia) in the semifinals. And in the same breath he had a laugh on his side when he philosophized about a defeat: “If I then have a 4-0 balance in finals, it would be time to call Andy Murray.” The Scot needed one too certain start-up time to really get started.
But Thiem is basically extremely positive. The only question mark is the Achilles tendon lesion (in the right foot) that he sustained during an unfortunate step in the round of the last four. The level of his game has not suffered, the “Dominator” mastered all tricky situations against Medvedev, who should then ennoble him as “Champion”.
With Alex Stober, Thiem also has one of the best physiotherapists in the industry. “He always has a lot to do with me,” smiled the number two winner of 16 ATP tournaments. “I think it’s not that bad,” Thiem gave the all-clear.
“While sliding, Domi overextended his leg and triggered a little so-called impingement at the back in the direction of the Achilles tendon. So tissue practically pinched,” explained Stober. Soothing postscript: “We’ll get that through to the final.”
Stober is one of three supervisors that the “Dominator” was allowed to take to America. Coach Nicolas Massu was set, the third in the league is sandbox friend Lucas Leitner. He’s also the errand boy when Thiem changes his shoes. And he does that quite often in New York.
This second semi-final was felt to be two classes better than the first between Zverev and Pablo Carreno Busta, who had benefited from the Djokovic disqualification in the round of 16 and gave up a 2-0 set lead against Zverev. The 23-year-old German made a series of unforced mistakes up to the turn. He can’t allow himself that against Thiem, otherwise the express will drive unstoppably to the goal.
Zverev has already won a major title (he was ATP World Champion 2018 in London), but has not yet contested a Grand Slam final. Thiem and Zverev are friends and are facing each other for the tenth time today.
Thiem leads 7-2 in direct duels. The last three matches went to the Austrian, the last one to date was in the semifinals of the Australian Open 2020. It was not a match for the faint of heart. After a hard fight, Thiem got the upper hand with 3: 6, 6: 4, 7: 6 (3) and 7: 6 (4).
This time, too, Thiem expects a test of strength at eye level: “I think it will be a completely open match. Sascha has been one of the really big players for several years. ”And what does Zverev say about the“ Grande Finale ”? “Friendship doesn’t matter. Each of us wants to be a Grand Slam champion. “
Regardless of today’s outcome, Thiem will need a break after an exhausting two weeks. He canceled his participation in the classic clay court in Rome. The next highlight is ante portas. The French Open in Roland Garros will open on September 27th. A certain Mr Nadal, who is returning to the ATP tour in Italy’s capital next week, will also be there again.
With the final entry, Thiem already has 1200 ATP points and prize money of 1.5 million US dollars gross (1.27 million euros). Should he triumph, he will collect 2000 ATP counters and three million dollars gross (2.54 million euros). The “Dominator” would then be Austria’s second Grand Slam triumphant in singles after his short-term coach Thomas Muster, who won the French Open on June 11, 1995. That was 9226 days ago.
Thiem definitely remains number three in the world. If he won, he would be only 725 points behind Nadal (2nd) and 1735 behind Djokovic (1st).
If Zverev, currently number seven in the ATP computer, wins, he would overtake Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) and be sixth.
The almost 46 centimeter high US Open trophy for men is made of sterling silver, and every triumphant can take home a replica. The luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. has been responsible for the production of the trophies since 1987. In contrast to the other three Grand Slam tournaments, the replica is not smaller but just as large as the original.
Defending champion Nadal (he beat Medvedev in five sets in the 2019 final) was dethroned before the tournament began. The Mallorcan had decided not to appear in Flushing Meadows due to the corona pandemic.
has only lost one set in the current tournament until today’s final. That was in the 3rd round against Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open Champion.
Thiem – Jaume Munar (Esp) 7: 6 (6), 6: 3, task Munar (1:54 hours)
Thiem – Sumit Nagal (Ind) 6: 3, 6: 3, 6: 2 (2:01 hrs)
Thiem – Marin Cilic (Cro / 31) 6: 2, 6: 2, 3: 6, 6: 3 (2:30 hours)
Thiem – Felix Auger-Aliassime (Can / 15) 7: 6 (4), 6: 1, 6: 1 (2:09 hours)
Thiem – Alex de Minaur (Aus / 21) 6: 1, 6: 2, 6: 4 (2:07 hours)
Thiem – Daniil Medwedew (Rus / 3) 6: 2, 7: 6 (7), 7: 6 (5) (2:53 hours)
had to go over five sets once and four times over four sets on the way to the final. He was flawless only against the Dennis Novak conqueror Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Esp).
Zverev – Kevin Anderson (Rsa) 7:6 (2), 5:7, 6:3, 7:5 (3:09 Stunden)
Zverev – Brandon Nakashima (USA) 7: 5, 6: 7 (8), 6: 3, 6: 1 (2:58 hours)
Zverev – Adrian Mannarino (Fra / 32) 6: 7 (4), 6: 4, 6: 2, 6: 2 (2:53 Hours)
Zverev – Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Esp) 6: 2, 6: 2, 6: 1 (1:31 Stunden)
Zverev – Borna Coric (Cro/27) 1:6, 7:6 (5), 7:6 (1), 6:3 (3:29 Stunden)
Zverev – Pablo Carreno Busta (Esp / 20) 3: 6, 2: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 3 (3:23 Stunden)
Zverev spent a total of 17:23 hours on the courts, at Thiem it was “only” 13:34 hours, so just under four less.
is number three in the world, 27 years old, from Lichtenwörth. The Lower Austrian has earned more than $ 24 million in prize money in his career and won 16 titles on the ATP tour. The “Dominator” is contesting its fourth Grand Slam final. In 2019 he was also in the final of the unofficial ATP World Championship.
is number seven in the world, 23 years old, from Hamburg. The German, who measures 1.98 meters and is 13 centimeters taller than Thiem, has won eleven tournaments. His greatest success was the triumph at the ATP Finals 2018 (World Cup) in London. Zverev has collected a good 21 million in prize money.
Article by
Alexander Zambarloukos
Sports editor
–
–
–
turned_in
info Click on the icon to add the keyword to your topics.
–
turned_in
info
Click on the icon to open your “my topics” page. They have of 15 keywords saved and would have to remove keywords.
–
turned_in
info With a click on the icon you remove the keyword from your topics.
–
turned_in
Add the subject to your subjects.
–
–
–
