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Australian Open: Dominic Thiem - "Nothing is impossible"

Dominic Thiem has made a sensational comeback against Nick Kyrgios . And showed several parallels to the final of the US Open.

by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Feb 12, 2021, 05:07 pm

Dominic Thiem has to stretch against Nick Kyrgios
© GEPA Pictures
Dominic Thiem has to stretch against Nick Kyrgios

It became the expected dance on the razor blade that Dominic Thiem and Nick Kyrgios performed under the Melbourne night sky. The two were to work for three hours and 21 minutes in the John Cain Arena, accompanied by a frenetic audience who celebrated the last few hours of "freedom" before Melbourne said goodbye to a five-day lockdown - and again in front of empty stands at the Australian Open is played.

It was the audience that saw a Nick Kyrgios for two sentences who was supposed to put his stamp on this game. Equipped with an early break thanks to Thiem's sleepy start, the local hero first served himself for set one - and a good three quarters of an hour later also added round two. Thiem had his back to the wall, had breakballs against him - but was able to fend them off and from then on began to make a monster comeback.

Special "mental" tactics

As at the US Open, where he defeated Alexander Zverev after a 2-0 set deficit in the decisive set, the Austrian managed the turnaround in Houdini style, defeating the unpleasant Australian 6: 4 in the decisive set - and is thus in the second round of the first Majors of the year.

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It was not only an exceptional achievement in terms of sport, it was above all a mental masterpiece that brought the Lichtenwörther success. With stoic calm, unresponsive, the 27-year-old played the match and his emotions down. Tried to fade out the audience, the Kyrgios' show and the special atmosphere in the John Cain Arena.

Thiem: "... then the match is over"

According to Thiem, he had already expected the defeat, but had hope again with the break in the third set. "That is definitely one of the biggest challenges to come back against Nick here from 0-2. But since the US Open I know that anything is possible," said the Austrian in an on-court interview. Nevertheless, he prefers to play in front of spectators - regardless of whether they are for or against him.

kyrgiosoutburst

Above all, the start of the third round, when he was able to take the service from the Australian after defending breakballs, was a sticking point in this match, according to Thiem: "If he breaks me in the third set, the match is over. When I do Then when he took his serve, I knew I could do it. "

"It was an epic match, it is one of the tougher challenges in tennis to face Nick when he is 'on fire' and playing on his favorite court and has an incredible atmosphere behind him. That's why I'm very happy with the game and there is Definitely a boost for what's to come, "said the Lichtenwörther at the press conference after he had made progress. "If he plays like he does today, he's just extremely hard to beat."

Today's defeat also made an impression on the defeated Kyrgios, a rare outburst of respect should be seen in the Australian's press conference: "Good luck to him, I hope he's doing well because he's a damn good player," addressed the 25-year-old to Thiem, who will now meet the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. A completely different game under completely different conditions that the world number three will expect on Sunday.

by Michael Rothschädl

Friday
Feb 12, 2021, 05:30 pm
last edit: Feb 12, 2021, 05:07 pm