ATP Challenger Rennes: Dominic Thiem at prime time - and without Nicolas Massu
Dominic Thiem will face Gilles Simon today at 7 p.m. at the ATP Challenger tournament in Rennes. Not there: Coach Nicolas Massu, who has to fulfill other obligations.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 13, 2022, 09:06 am
Dominic Thiem was nominated for the ATP Challenger tournament in Rennes quite late, so the ITF was no longer able to change its Davis Cup calendar. The Chilean as well as the Austrian selection have to play this week, one in Lima, the other in Peru. The Austrians do without Thiem's services, Filip Misolic and Jurij Rodionov should direct it against Pakistan individually. The Chileans, on the other hand, will not be without Nicolas Massu - but he is also the captain and chief motivator. And therefore cannot work in Dominic Thiem's box.
So while Massu is playing with Alejandro Tabilo, Cristian Garin and Co. to stay in the world group, his protégé will be chasing points in Rennes at 7 p.m. today. Against Gilles Simon, the common history is quite long, it is the twelfth duel. Thiem's prospects are not only excellent because of the 9: 2 balance: Simon has long since reached the home stretch of his career, which is understandable at the age of 37.
Thiem, who turned 29 a few days ago, did not travel to France completely unaccompanied. Thomas Strengberger is at the side of the 2020 US Open champion. You know each other, you appreciate each other from earlier times, as Wolfgang Thiem explained to tennisnet. Nicolas Massu will then join Team Thiem again in Tel Aviv, in Metz Strengberger will take over the duties of the tour coach.
Thiem beats Gaston in Rennes
In Rennes, Hugo Gaston is in first place, Thiem narrowly beat the French in Gstaad a few weeks ago, but won it anyway. Back then on sand, as is well known, Dominic Thiem has spent the last few weeks on hard court. The appearance against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open was quite promising, it would have been exciting if Thiem had won the first set against the Spaniard. Which was quite possible after an early break.
90 points for the world rankings are possible in Rennes, Dominic Thiem will really hate the 9,200 euro prize money. In addition to Gaston, Peter Gojowczyk is also competing for the main prize as number two. The man from Dachau was still playing in the Austrian Bundesliga at the weekend. From a German point of view, it is gratifying that Max Hans Rehberg fought his way through the qualification. For Thiem, after a win against Simon, it would be either Amtoine Lescoffier or the British Ryan Peniston. No insurmountable hurdles. And Nicolas Massu will be reported on in Lima.