Australian Open: Dominic Thiem fights Alexander Zverev in four sets and is in the final
Dominic Thiem is in the final of the Australian Open for the first time in his career. The Austrian beat Alexander Zverev 3: 6, 6: 4, 7: 6 (3) and 7: 6 (4). ( You can read about the game in our live ticker ). In the final, the 26-year-old gets to deal with Novak Djokovic .
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jan 31, 2020, 01:35 pm
"It is a very open game in which we will both have very good chances." Dominic Thiem assessed the starting position before the Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev . In fact, it was not possible to find a clear favorite before the game; both players had completely convinced in Melbourne so far and had shown their best tennis on the way to the final round.
Thiem was able to prevail against world number one Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals , Zverev only made one set on the way to the round of the last four - the almost 15,000 spectators in the Rod Laver Arena were therefore able to look forward to a spectacle in the second semifinals.
Thiem with a false start - sentence one clear to Zverev
Despite a 2-6 record in a direct comparison, Zverev got off to a better start and took Thiem's serve right at the start. But the Austrian immediately struck back and put on 1-1. After a brief pause in the rain, both players found their way into the game a little better, in the seventh game Zverev managed to break again thanks to the strong help of his opponent. Thiem had now completely lost the thread and had to accept another loss of serve - the first set went 6: 3 and deservedly went to Zverev.
However, the 22-year-old did not know how to take this momentum, after a catastrophic game Zverev Thiem gave the break to 2-1. Although the German made it 3: 3, Thiem countered in the manner of a world-class player and came back after a strong return game.
Thiem can serve out despite problems
At 5: 4, Thiem then served to win the set. The Lichtenwörther obviously had to struggle with the pressure situation and let Zverev come to two breakballs relatively easily - but the fifth in the world ranking was able to fend them off and bagged run number two with ace.
After the first game in the third set, there was a break of around ten minutes due to lighting problems, which Thiem put away much better than his opponent, who was four years younger. The Austrian secured the first three games after the break and went 3-1 in the lead.
Thiem fends off two set balls and wins round three
After some unbelievable points and defense of a break ball, Zverev was able to shorten to 2: 3 - also thanks to a very fair gesture by Thiem, who recommended the German to take a challenge, which then brought the Hamburg the game win. The missed chance of a double break should take revenge for Thiem a little later: Zverev took the serve from the fifth in the world rankings and shortly after went 4: 3 in the front.
Thiem was visibly touched and, especially with the forehand, scattered unusually frequently. With two wonderful winners, the Lower Austrian defused two set balls from Zverev and set 5: 5. Despite slight physical problems (gastrointestinal complaints), Thiem forced a tiebreak. The 26-year-old got off to an excellent start in this race - the Austrian was able to transport the fast lead to winning the set. The short divorce went to Thiem with 7: 3.
At the beginning of the fourth section, both players played their service games relatively easily. With a score of 5: 4 for Thiem Zverev came under pressure for the first time, but after the debut the world ranking seventh was able to turn 5: 5.
Thiem in the third Grand Slam final
Two games later, Zverev was up to the immense pressure again - so a tie break had to bring the decision again. in this, Thiem, like in set number three, beat 3: 0 early. This time Zverev came back, but with a catastrophic smash the 22-year-old Thiem gave the point to 4: 2.
Thanks to two sensational winners, Thiem came to three match balls. The Austrian was able to transform the second of them - after 3:42 hours the triumph of Lichtenwörther was certain!
With the 3: 6, 6: 4, 7: 6 (3) and 7: 6 (4) success, Thiem is in his third Grand Slam final. For the first time, the 26-year-old will not compete with Rafael Nadal. "This is surreal. What a great start to the season," said the 26-year-old after the game.
In his first Australian Open final, Thiem will face defending champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday. The second in the world rankings prevailed in three sets against Roger Federer in the first semi-final and would return to the top of the world list with a win in the final.
( You can read about the game in our live ticker ).
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