Australian Open: Nick Kyrgios - "Dominic Thiem trains like an absolute animal"
On Friday there will be a third-round hit between Dominic Thiem and Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open 2021 (live on ServusTV, Eurosport and in our live ticker). The Australian has the highest respect for his upcoming opponent.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Feb 11, 2021, 09:30 am
The second round matches of the Friday opponents Nick Kyrgios and Dominic Thiem could not have run more differently: While Thiem Dominik Koepfer took on an almost Nadalesque deficiency that the German could no longer get out of, Kyrgios made it lastingly exciting against Ugo Humbert. And already looked like the loser in the fourth sentence. Before the local hero, much to the delight of the spectators in the Jon Cain Arena, gave the match a late turn.
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First and foremost, in the supposed final phase, he would have thought about how much crap he would have to listen to in the event of a defeat, Kyrgios confessed in the on-court interview with Jim Courier. How did he turn the match? No idea. The 5: 7, 6: 4, 3: 6, 7: 6 (2) and 6: 4 in favor of Nick Kyrgios was one of three outstanding thrillers on the third day of the Australian Open. The other two won Marton Fucsovics against Stan Wawrinka and Taylor Fritz against Reilly Opelka.
Kyrgios serves 30 aces - and from below
With regard to his upcoming opponent, Kyrgios stated in his press conference: “I have every Mende respect for him (as a tennis player. Kyrgios did not find participation in the Adriatic Tour and the statements made afterwards) that exciting ). In any case, Thiem's way of playing is extremely athletic. Why could Dominic Thiem hold out? "He trains like an absolute animal."
Which one cannot necessarily say about Nick Kyrgios. According to his own statements, he did not touch his racket for several months, and Austria's number one certainly has a clear advantage when it comes to physical fitness. However, Kyrgios can do a lot with the conditions that will prevail in Australia in 2021: After all, industry leader Novak Djokovic has also noted that the courts are faster than ever on his trips to Australia.
So Kyrgios' greatest weapon, the serve, will play a major role. For better or for worse. Because even against Humbert, the Australian had everything on offer again: 30 aces - but also a failed serve from below. At 5: 5 and 40:30 in the fourth set.
Here is the individual tableau at the Australian Open
laver arena