US Open: Dominic Thiem after the final triumph - "Crazy!"
Dominic Thiem beat Alexander Zverev 2: 6, 4: 6, 6: 4, 6: 3 and 7: 6 (6) in the final of the US Open 2020 on Sunday evening, making Thiem the second Austrian player after Thomas Muster in 1995 who won a major title.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Sep 14, 2020, 04:48 am
After more than three weeks of quarantine, Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev finally whistled about the USTA's security protocol. After more than four hours of playing time in a match in which Zverev seemed so sure to be on the winning road, with two sets and a break advantage, the two opponents simply fell into each other's arms. Corona or not. "It feels like we've both been tested 14 times". said Thiem in his press conference. "We didn't put anyone in danger. So that was fine."
The longer the game lasted in the empty Arthur Ashe Stadium, the more the strength seemed to give way from Zverev. Which was also noticeable when serving, which he shook off his shoulder flawlessly in the first two rounds and hardly returnable for Thiem. But then it was the Austrian who hobbled over the place with a score of 6: 5 in the decision. Thiem waived a medical timeout and of course gave up his serve following the history of this match.
The tie-break was the logical final sequence in this match - and it was just as logical that Thiem could not use his first two chances to win. In particular, the forehand from the half-field when the score was 6: 4 seemed quite feasible. However, not in the fifth set of a match, which is about the first Grand Slam success of his career. Zverev helped out a few moments later with a backhand error, Thiem went down.
Thiem against Nadal 2018 close
A little more than 25 years after Thomas Muster in Roland Garros, a second Austrian has managed to win one of the four big tennis titles. That was expected more in Paris on sand, but the final entry at the Australian Open 2020 has shown that Dominic Thiem is ready for the big coup, even on hard court.
In New York, the now 27-year-old had already indicated in the 2018 quarter-finals against Rafael Nadal what he is capable of. Two years ago, however, Thiem had to admit defeat to the Spaniard in the tie-break of the fifth set. There won't be any big celebrations in New York City this year. With the master himself plus coach Nicolas Massu, physio Alex Stober and buddy Lucas Leitner, the Thiem travel group ultimately only includes four people.
Father Wolfgang Thiem stayed in Austria as did brother Moritz. The newly crowned US Open champion had a conversation with him via video wall minutes after his triumph. Two words are remembered: "Madness". And "deranged". Probably also because Thiem went into the game very nervously. The experience did not help him - in the back of his head was always buzzing around that he would have been in major finals with another defeat 0: 4, the champion explained during the PK. But: With the win in New York City, he can now go into the upcoming major tournaments much more relaxed.
In line with Borg, Agassi, Lendl
The historical dimension of Dominic Thiem's success can also be seen in the statistics of how many players in the Open Era managed to win a Grand Slam tournament after a 2-0 set deficit. In this list, Thiem is only number five after the legends Björn Borg, Ivan Lendl and Andre Agassi and Gaston Gaudio.
As in his first games, it would have helped in this game if the usual energy of the New Yorkers had come from the stands. "It would have helped both of us towards the end of the match," said Thiem. At first it would not have been helpful. "A murmur would have gone through the audience here and there." He played so badly. "But in the fifth set we both gave absolutely everything, got everything out, physically and mentally. Support would have been nice."
Dominic Thiem, as of now, will get it at the French Open in Roland Garros. The only open question is whether he will go to Paris without match practice: Thiem and his final opponent Zverev have canceled the tournament in Rome. There was still the option of serving at Rothenbaum in Hamburg. The problem there: The final is scheduled for Sunday, September 27th. But that is also the first day of the French Open. The new champion didn't want to worry about such things on Sunday evening in New York.