Dominic Thiem after defeat: "First match always unusual"
In the first match under competitive conditions in the new tennis season, Dominic Thiem had to suffer a defeat. Number 8 in the world lost at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi against the Russian Karen Khachanov in two sets.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Dec 27, 2018, 07:02 pm
At pleasant temperatures above 20 degrees and under floodlights in the early evening in the Zayed Sports City, Thiem found it difficult to find his rhythm at the beginning. The 25-year-old Austrian lost his serve in the third game when Khachanov parried a Thiem network attack with a wonderful cross-court backhand winner. In the following games Thiem became more secure from the baseline, equalized first to 3: 3 and finally took the initiative, but could not serve out to win the set at 5: 3. After a good 45 minutes it was finally the Russian who won the first round in the tie break with 7: 3.
Khachanov also had a better start in the following set, Thiem already lost his service in the second game. The number 11 in the world finally turned his first match point into an 7: 6 (3), 6: 3 success after an hour and 15 minutes.
"The first match after a break of one and a half months is always a bit unusual," said Thiem after the game. “It was extremely difficult against a really strong opponent. The conditions with the Wilson US Open balls also took a bit of getting used to. Nevertheless, it was okay. "
Thiem also got something positive from the season opener. "I served quite well. The movement and anticipation on the square are still missing. Even though I played a lot of points in Tenerife, it is still different in a match. ”
Thiem gets another match in the desert
The tournament in Abu Dhabi is not yet over for Thiem. The Lichtenwörther will meet Hyeon Chung in tomorrow's 5th place game. "It's a great thing for me that I can play another match despite a defeat," Thiem is looking forward to meeting the young South Korean, who already defended title holder Kevin Anderson 6: 7 (4), 6 in the afternoon : 2, 6: 1 was inferior.
“There will probably be some rallies from the baseline. That's exactly what I need to get feeling again. "
Khachanov demands Djokovic
Khachanov was understandably happy with the result. "It was a good match. The topping here is pretty quick. The balls also jump high. It favors the player who is better served and more aggressive. Although it's officially an exhibition, we players take the matches seriously. You want to win, of course, ”said Khachanov, who will meet Novak Djokovic, the world's number one.
“The match against Novak will give me even more insight into what form I'm actually in at the moment. It will be the first match for him. I will stand here on the square for the second time. I'm looking forward to a good fight. Let's see how it ends. "