"Substitute" Dominic Thiem is subject to Karen Khachanov in Abu Dhabi
Dominic Thiem also has the second match against Karen Khachanov in Abu Dhabi within three days. The 25-year-old Austrian lost 3: 6, 6: 4 and 3:10 to the Russian.
by tennisnet
last edit:
Dec 29, 2018, 03:42 pm
The qualification competition has already started in Doha - however, the number one and number two of the tournament have not yet reached the tournament location. In the case of Novak Djokovic, the world number one, this comes as no surprise: the Serb had gone as a favorite in the short exhibition tournament in Abi Dhabi and had surely qualified for the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championships by beating Karen Khachanov.
Dominic Thiem, however, had already broken off his tents in Abu Dhabi after losing to Hyeon Chung in the game for fifth place on Friday. After Rafael Nadal's withdrawal, the Lower Austrian had to do it again - against Khachanov, against whom he had already lost at the start.
Dennis Novak has already left Doha
And even in the second attempt it didn't work for Thiem. The Russian won 6: 3, 4: 6 and 10: 3. At least the Lichtenwörther travels to Doha with a set win in his luggage.
There Thiem will be the only Austrian in the peloton: buddy Dennis Novak was defeated in the first round by Ricardas Berankis in two sets. From a German-speaking perspective, only Maximilian Marterer was successful against Andrea Arnaboldi, Matthias Bachinger lost Mirza Basic in two sentences.