Erste Bank Open: Dominic Thiem expects "hammer match" against Matteo Berrettini
For the first time in his career Dominic Thiem is in the semi-finals of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. In this, the Austrian gets to do with Matteo Berrettini - the Italian is currently in the shape of his life.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 26, 2019, 06:52 am
by Nikolaus Fink from the Wiener Stadthalle
The quarter-final day of the Erste Bank Open left a bitter aftertaste for the Austrian tennis fans despite the first-time semi-final draw by Dominic Thiem . Not even 20 minutes allowed the fans to look their favorite on the legs before Pablo Carreno Busta at the level of 5: 0 due to back problems gave up.
"It's always uncomfortable when the opponent has to give up, everyone has come to see a great match, but I looked at it at the first game and it was clear he would not be able to finish it," explained Thiem after the match - but: "I like the move to the semi-finals."
No wonder, after all, the world ranking fifth in Vienna managed the leap into the semi-final for the first time. "It's always something special to do something for the first time, here's even more, because it's my second home tournament," rejoiced Lichtenwörther after his seventh victory in a seventh duel against Carreno Busta.
Berrettini and Thiem in top form
"I feel in top form - physically and playfully," Thiem sent after a challenge. The above-mentioned top form will also be needed by the 26-year-old on Saturday against Matteo Berrettini ( starting at 2:00 pm in the Tennisnet liveticker ) - because the Roman is in the shape of his life.
This was recently felt by Thiem: In the quarter-final of Shanghai, the Lower Austrian defeated the Italian in two tight sets. "I hope I can make some of Shanghai's bad stuff better tomorrow," Thiem said at the press conference.
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To his opponent, who is still on the way to the ATP finals in London, Thiem sprinkled lots of roses: "His forehand is currently one of the best there is, he's making incredible speed." An advantage in the return compared to the match in China, the Lichtwörther expects despite the slower space in the Stadthalle not really. "Berrettini's serve is perhaps one percent better here, so I have to defuse his serve well and avoid his forehand as much as possible," Thiem revealed his match plan.
But Thiem himself is currently in excellent condition: "I'm doing my things well on the field, I have served well this week and I hope that I can continue this tomorrow It will be an absolute hammer," Thiem made his compatriots Lust for the semifinals.