Davis Cup: tricky task for Thiem and Co. on the final day in Finland
Austria goes into the final Saturday in the Davis Cup duel with Finland with a not unexpected 1-1. The pressure is now initially on the doubles Oliver Marach and Jürgen Melzer .
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 14, 2019, 07:32 am
A few days ago in New York City, Jürgen Melzer categorically ruled out one thing: that it would be him who would play a fourth and therefore decisive individual in the Davis Cup match against Finland. Melzer surprisingly hit the singles qualification in Winston Salem, but interpreted the signs of his body as meaning that it is time to devote yourself exclusively to doubles. No matter what the circumstances demand.
And who knows: Perhaps the decision-making game in Espoo will not take place, paper-based Oliver Marach and Jürgen Melzer will go into the doubles (live from 1 p.m. on DAZN and in our live ticker) and Dominic Thiem into his single with Emil Ruusuvuori as favorites . The starting situation after the two matches on Friday is not such that the ÖTV could look around for venues for the first round in the world group.
Ruusuvuori is looking forward to Thiem
It is of course unfortunate that Dennis Novak, who has shown outstanding performances in the Davis Cup in recent years, could not compete. Ruusuvuori has shown in recent months that he can beat players in the top 100 fairly consistently. Most recently at the ATP Challenger in the Rafael Nadal Academy, where the 20-year-old Finn had succeeded. Dominic Thiem, who actually wanted the match against Ruusuvuori under training conditions, will also be warned.
The host is looking forward to meeting number five in the world: “It will be the biggest game in my career. And I'm sure I'll have fun doing it. ”
Novak maybe on Saturday
First, however, Marach and Melzer, most recently quarter-finalists at the US Open, have to submit. Henri Kontinen is a well-known figure, Harri Heliovaara also knows the special Davis Cup atmosphere well. Even if the Finnish audience showed their best side on the first day.
Patrik Niklas-Saminen has hinted against Dominic Thiem that on a good day and with an even better serve he can play very uncomfortably in the uneven hall in Espoo. Austria's captain Stefan Koubek has not yet given up hope that Novak might come in on Saturday. In any case, the team boss has not lost his sense of humor: "The elders are the fittest for us," said Koubek in the press conference after the balanced Friday.