Dominic Thiem - How to catch up 4-0 in the tie-break against Novak Djokovic
NovakDjokovic's tiebreaker record is outstanding. The world number one lost one of the most important this year in the semifinals of the ATP Finals 2020 against Dominic Thiem .
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 21, 2020, 07:24 pm
After his departure from the ATP Finals 2020 against Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic was in a hurry and quickly got over his obligations to the press. A few moments after Thiem had transformed his sixth match ball, the industry leader was already in the virtual press room and.
Novak Djokovic had played 15 tiebreaks before the semi-final game in London's O2 Arena in 2020, including appearances at the ATP Cup. Exactly one (in numbers: 1) of them was lost: Against Kyle Edmund in the second round of the US Open. Well, in Dubai Gael Monfils had also left several chances - but in the end Djokovic always emerged as the winner of the short decisions.
As in the tie-break of the second set on Saturday in London. The world number one had fended off four match balls, only with one unexpected shooting help came from Thiem with a double error. And so it was reasonable to assume that Novak Djokovic would easily play the final in London 2020 after a 4-0 lead in the tie-break of the decision set.
Thiem risks everything - and wins
Thought wrong. "I hit all the first serves," said Djokovic. “And he held onto every ball and hit the field. I thought I was very close to winning. But Dominic deserved it because he scored points. “His opponent did everything right after the 0: 4. “I didn't play a single point badly after the 4-0 win. I hit the ball, not pushed it. But Dominic just played great. "
And the Austrian picked up exactly where he left off in 2019, albeit in the group stage at the time. Because last year in the match against Novak Djokovic there was a decision in the tie-break of the third set. With the same outcome as in 2020. Thiem was happy to admit, however, that he had luck on his side towards the end of this match.
For Novak Djokovic, the lean period at the season-ending tournament continues - the man from Belgrade was last successful in 2015. Nole's comment: "You can't win all tournaments."