ATP: The five best men's matches at the US Open 2020
The US Open 2020 brought Dominic Thiem's first major victory with it. The Austrian delivered a great drama against Alexander Zverev in the final. But we also found at least four other outstanding games.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Dec 09, 2020, 12:55 pm
# 1: Round 1, Karen Khachanov vs. Jannik Sinner 3: 6, 6: 7 (7), 6: 2, 6: 0, 7: 6 (4)
Karen Khachanov had hardly played tennis during the Corona break, the external circumstances in Russia did not allow that. Khachanov slowly approached his job at Thiem's 7 in Kitzbühel, but certainly did not come to New York City in the best physical condition. And had to deal with a 2-0 set deficit against Jannik Sinner . But then it was the South Tyrolean who only dragged himself across the square in sets three and four. And how a little tennis miracle reached the tie-break of the fifth set. However, the more experienced Khachanov prevailed. After a playing time of 3:44 hours. And deserved in view of the points won: Karen Khachanov had 186 on the balance sheet, Jannik Sinner 164.
# 2: Round 1, Steve Johnson vs. John Isner 6: 7 (5), 6: 3, 6: 7 (5), 6: 3, 7: 6 (3)
Steve Johnson, one of the best college tennis players of all time, has lost the thread a little on the ATP tour in recent years, certainly also due to setbacks in private life. In a good, old American duel with John Isner, Stevie J is still fully involved - even if this showdown, like so many other matches, suffered from the fact that the stands at Louis Armstrong Stadium were empty during the 3:50 hours of play. But chap to Johnson, who never had to give up his serve. And who was not deterred by the two lost tebreaks either.
# 3: Round 3, Borna Coric vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas 6: 7 (2), 6: 4, 4: 6, 7: 5, 7: 6 (4)
After this match, which lasted 4:36 hours, Stefanos Tsitsipas was supposed to talk about the funniest and saddest tennis game at the same time that he had ever experienced. The Greek missed six match points, all of them through mistakes without need. No wonder that Coric did not neglect the luck factor after his success. In the end, even Tsitsipas was in the lead with 177: 174 points. Borna Coric was allowed to continue playing.
# 4: quarterfinals, Pablo Carreno Busta vs. Denis Shapovalov 3: 6, 7: 6 (5), 7: 6 (4), 0: 6, 6: 3
Nobody should underestimate the qualities of Pablo Carreno Busta. Even those who come back after losing a set to zero and bring an early break relatively safely to the finish line. Of course, Shapovalov was also to be praised, who really started again after the two lost tiebreaks. But his momentum could not carry into the decision set. A missed opportunity for the Canadian who has worn the Andre Agassi commemorative outfit so perfectly on the market like no other.
# 5: Finale, Dominic Thiem vs. Alexander Zverev 2: 6, 4: 6, 6: 4, 6: 3, 7: 6 (6)
Well, what should one have expected from this endgame, in which Zverev rather dragged himself and ind the Thiem rather floated? Certainly not what the German celebrated in the first two sentences: namely perfect offensive tennis. Well, you have seen that at Alexander Zverev from time to time on high occasions, for example in the final in Madrid against that same Dominic Thiem in 2018. This consequence to go through another round, but Zverev failed. And a little on his nerves. And of course to Thiem, who never gave up. And who stated after the match that he had never been as nervous as before this final, which ended after 4:01 hours with the Austrian's first Grand Slam triumph.