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The world number three can still dream of the double “US Open / French Open.” With the third consecutive victory in three sets, he saved energy for the decisive phase of the tournament. In the round of 16 it is now Sunday (live on ORF eins and Eurosport) against the French Hugo Gaston, who surprisingly beat the favorite Stan Wawrinka after a tough fight and a rain break in five rounds with 2: 6, 6: 3, 6: 3, 4: 6 and 6: 0 defeated.
Thiem was able to watch the game comfortably yesterday in front of the hotel TV. His day job was done in the early afternoon. There were many rallies worth watching against the promising Norwegian Ruud, with most of the best finishing going to the 27-year-old. “Today was one of my best games of the year. I played very aggressively and made few mistakes,” Thiem said.
A first intermediate balance of Thiem after three games could only be positive. “The tournament got off to a really good start, but that’s partly because of New York.” Last year he arrived in Rome after a severe defeat. “There self-confidence is not like it is this year with a Grand Slam title in your pocket.” Plus, he’s only spent 6:43 hours on the field so far.
But his opponent Gaston needed a show of force to put three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka in his place. The 20-year-old is number 239 in the world, in Paris only thanks to a wild card and so far he has been mainly at the ITF and Challenger level. Before this year’s French Open, he played just two games on the ATP tour, and both lost. However, Thiem would do well not to underestimate the lively little Frenchman. “There is no easy opponent for a major,” Austria’s best players know.
Melzer challenges the superior duo
Thiem is not the only Austrian to raise the flag in Paris. Veteran Jrgen Melzer and his French teammate Edouard Roger-Vasselin have also reached the round of 16, where today is a matter of promotion against the main Colombian seeds Cabal / Farah. (fei)
terms
Thiem has been confirming more and more these days that he likes to play on clay in cool and humid autumn conditions. “I spent dozens of hours on the field in such conditions: training sessions, games, youth tournaments, futures. This is an advantage for me. “
Self-confidence
“I’m still swimming in the wave,” says Thiem, referring to his winning streak, which has already lasted ten games. Since his victory at the US Open, in general, everything has been easier for him on the field. “I feel like I’m playing a bit like a trance right now. I feel very comfortable with the blows and I also feel fast. “
Fitness
Physical therapist Alex Stober, who used to knead tennis greats like Pete Sampras, currently has a lot of work at Thiem after games. The neck of the third in the world ranking was slightly pinched recently, but that was not a bad thing. His fitness coaches Duglas Cordero and Michael Reinprecht prepared him well for tough rallies in the deep sand of Paris this year in Miami. “On numerous fitness parameters, he has improved by as much as 30 percent in the last year,” says Reinprecht.
tactic
Thiem showed his many variations in the previous three games. Against the “hard hitters” Cilic and Sock, he would often come back from behind and wear down opponents with a strong defensive performance. Against clay-court voter Ruud, he went on the offensive with a powerful game.
