US Open Tennis Panel: Thiem with better chances than Zverev
The last Grand Slam tournament of 2019 is coming up. We checked out some experts again. Today on the opportunities of Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Aug 25, 2019, 08:59 pm
Question 1: Dominic Thiem's last memory of the US Open is a lost fifth set against Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals 2018. Why can Thiem go one step further this year?
Alexander Tagger (Kleine Zeitung, Austria): Thiem has developed enormously in terms of play since this match and has established itself behind the big three as "number one of the second guard". So the self-confidence is right and his outstanding fitness (the viral disease should be over before the tournament starts) is an additional ace in the sultry conditions in New York. Like his serve - if he can trust him, it is difficult to break. If the Austrian survives the first two rounds (and this should be the number four in the world), the trip to Flushing Meadows could go even further this year than in the previous year.
Nikolaus Fink (tennisnet): Because after his victory in Indian Wells he has the certainty that he can beat everyone even on hard court. In addition, as fourth in the world rankings, he has the privilege of avoiding the Big Three before the semi-finals.
Tom Häberlein (SID): Because this time he won't face Nadal in the quarter-finals.
Jens Huiber (sportradio360): The draw is formidable - even in the quarter-finals that Tsitsipas has to get into first. If Dominic is fit, a lot will work this year. Almost everything.
Paul Häuser (Sky): How many players under 30 have won at least one set in a Grand Slam final? One. Namely Dominic Thiem. At the French Open this year against Nadal. Not more. His own quarter speaks for Thiem. He can only face Djokovic, Nadal or Federer in the semifinals, which is a huge plus. If Thiem is in top form again after his flu, then he can certainly build on his strong performance from the previous year and dominate at least in his quarter.
Oliver Faßnacht (Eurosport): My feeling and my mind tell me: it won't be Dominic Thiem's tournament. I would be very surprised if Thiem - almost without match practice - could play a better tournament than last year.
"The quarter-final corresponds to Thiem's rating on hard court"
Florian Goosmann (tennisnet): Because he actually has a good draw. Edmund in round 3? Yeah. Monfils, FAA or Tsitsipas afterwards? It doesn't have to be that everything is going according to plan. If Thiem is fit, there is a semi-final against Nadal! And when the butterfly ball is also sitting ...
Sebastian Kayser (BILD): Who says he can go one step further? I don't see him that far ahead. I somehow miss the last punch with him. What is needed to land the big hit. I wish him at least a Grand Slam victory in his career, but it will be very difficult.
Jörg Allmeroth (tennisnet): I don't think he will go one step further. However, he should reach the second week and possibly the quarter-finals. This corresponds to his rating at a Grand Slam on hard court.
# BETATHOMEUSWIN #
Marcel Meinert (Sky): The hard court season of Dominic Thiem turned out to be a little too poor to raise great hopes. Even the appearances up to the quarter-finals in Montreal did not completely convince me - even if, of course, he has long proven that he can beat the very best on hard courts.
Robert M. Frank (tennisnet): Despite setbacks after weeks that have been very intense recently with a lot of games, Thiem can do a lot this year. Definitely more than 2018. The key issue for Lower Austria will be fitness. If this is correct, everything is in there.
Markus Theil (Eurosport): Because of the seed list, he can only meet one of the big 3 in the semifinals.
Question 2: Alexander Zverev has stated the US Open 2019 for months as the tournament in which he will start at the Grand Slam level. What are the pros?
Florian Goosmann (tennisnet): Not very much. Above all, the first rounds could be critical. First Radu Albot, then Tiafoe or Karlovic? Hm.
Marcel Meinert (Sky): This statement must certainly be rearranged if the big problem with his serve. Service will depend on whether Alexander Zverev gets stability in his game. But the unrest outside the court is currently still large and seems to put a lot of strain on him. Reaching the second week would be a success with the big competition.
Markus Theil (Eurosport): Difficult question: Maybe yes, that in 2019 hardly anyone is expecting a second week with him in New York. Actually, he can only surprise positively with his impact crisis and all the other issues recently. Personally, I find it shameful how some media comment hotly on his crisis, which lifted him to heaven after his World Cup title. For that reason alone, I would give him a quarter-final at the US Open.
"Zverev is totally overwhelmed"
Jörg Allmeroth (tennisnet): Nothing. Because the various construction sites in the Zverev company have not been eliminated.
Sebastian Kayser (BILD): Nothing. He is currently overwhelmed by the problems and cannot act. Like at the age of 22? The boy is totally overwhelmed, which is all too understandable. Despite the family help, he is unable to sort out sports and everything around. Actually, it would be better to end the season, order life, and then start rebuilding for 2020. If the problems are not solved by the end of the year, the coming year will be a very difficult one, no matter how much vacation he takes.
Robert M. Frank (tennisnet): At the moment the numbers simply speak against Alexander Zverev. There are only a few reasons why he could take off in New York City of all places. A little bit of hope gives me Zverev's sometimes good fighting spirit. However, this mental strength will not be sufficient against top players.
Paul Häuser (Sky): Not much speaks for Zverev, only his fighting spirit. With much less self-confidence, he can't actually go to a Grand Slam. The 20 double faults against Miomir Kecmanovic in Cincinnati were a new low for him. The time to press the "reset button" and stabilize his serve system seems too short. In my opinion, Zverev urgently needs help from a new coach in his team and a mental trainer. The potential remains exceptionally high, but I only expect the big restart after a strong off-season and fresh wind in his coaching team.
Oliver Faßnacht (Eurosport): As long as he has not ensured that there is peace and quiet next to the pitch, there will unfortunately not be sufficient security on the pitch. Alexander Zverev should set the goal of being able to tackle the 2020 season under the best conditions in every respect. Hope he won't be under public pressure for the rest of 2019. Sure, he should learn from his own mistakes in the external presentation (topic: Ferrero, Lendl, Apey) - but that is also part of a natural development process. Who can / was able to pursue his career consistently and concentrated completely free of background noises? Of the top players, I can only think of Nadal and Federer.
Nikolaus Fink (tennisnet): To be honest, almost nothing. Zverev will have to pack his bags early in New York.
Tom Häberlein (SID): Nothing.
Jens Huiber (sportradio360): Finally, no tournament stress for a few days - very different than in spring 2019. We can therefore assume that Zverev was able to recover and prepare well. I like to watch the quarterfinals against Nadal.