Erste Bank Open: Thiem before Rublev duel: "Crush everything with forehand"
Dominic Thiem meets Andrey Rublev against an opponent whom he already knows from numerous training sessions. And whose strengths he appreciates.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Oct 30, 2020, 01:43 pm
By Michael Rothschädl from the Wiener Stadthalle
The very first glance at the Erste Bank Open draw showed that it could be a big hit. To the hit between Dominic Thiem and Andrey Rublev, to the game of the two offensive artists, to the duel between two of the most attractive players on the ATP tour. Shortly before 8:00 p.m. local time on Thursday yesterday, it was a done deal, Thiem showed no nakedness against Garin, followed Rublev, who had benefited from a task by the Italian Jannik Sinner, in the round of the last eight.
Just a few moments after his almost flawless performance, Thiem only had words of praise for his upcoming opponent, for a player he currently sees as one of the top three, or at least the best five tennis players on this planet. "He is in great shape, he only reached the top 10 this week, but has actually been one of the best in the world for me since the beginning of the year," said the Austrian.
Thiem with a clear plan
Rublev is a player he knows better than almost anyone on the tour. Numerous training sessions with the 23-year-old have never disappointed the Austrian: "If you don't have such a good rhythm, you have found it again after training with him . He plays such a high pace and almost flawlessly ", the world number three appraises the units with the Russian, which also played a decisive role in his greatest career success to date:" At the US Open we have non-training days almost always trained together. "
Now Thiem has to play against a player whom he describes as one of his "favorite people on the tour". Due to the many training sessions, the Austrian has been warned of the Russian's strengths, but accordingly has a very clear plan as to how he should organize the match: "Of course I want to avoid his forehand, he'll shoot through almost every situation - and almost without any mistakes, "said the Austrian.
Rublev with a much improved serve
Today's quarter-final duel between Thiem and Rublev will also be a new edition of the first round match from 2017 at the Erste Bank Open, at that time Thiem should clearly have the upper hand. The world number three does not see any yardstick in this match: "It's much harder to play against him today. He has improved his serve enormously, back then it was much easier to get into the rallies. And once you're on the defensive against him you can hardly get out. He finishes the points very well, "said the Austrian.
Therefore, the alignment for the match is an offensive, at least he wants to make the points balanced. "But it will be incredibly difficult," said the US Open winner. The match between Thiem and Rublev is scheduled as the second match after 2 p.m. (live on ServusTV and in our live ticker ), which is why Thiem had to say goodbye to the press conference very quickly. Just as swiftly as the rallies in tomorrow's quarter-final showdown are to be expected.