Now live: Dominic Thiem is fighting Hyeon Chung for fifth place in Abu Dhbai
Before things get really serious for Dominic Thiem in Doha, the Austrian at the invitation tournament in Abu Dhabi is about getting the finishing touches before the new season. After the opening loss to Karen Khachanov, the 25-year-old is fighting Hyeon Chung for fifth place in the United Arab Emirates today.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Dec 28, 2018, 01:12 pm
In the first encounter of the new season, Thiem had to defeat his Russian opponent Karen Khachanov 6: 7 (3) and 3: 6. Despite the defeat, the Lichtenwörther was able to gain something positive from the game: "The first match after a break of one and a half months is always a bit unfamiliar, but it was nevertheless quite okay." Thiem was particularly satisfied with his serve.
In the game for fifth place, the world ranking night meets Hyeon Chung. The South Korean defeated defending champion Kevin Anderson in the first match of the tournament after winning the first set with 7: 6 (4), 2: 6 and 1: 6. "It is a great thing for me that I can play another match despite a defeat," said Thiem.
Following the encounter between Thiem and Chung, the two superstars of the event intervene at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Rafael Nadal meets Kevin Anderson in his first match since the US Open before Novak Djokovic, world number one, faces Karen Khachanov in the second semi-final.