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With a score of 4-6 and 4-6 after two sets, he already looked like the underdog in the third round of the Australian Open. But Austrian tennis ace Dominic Thiem came out yesterday as the winner after five sets against local hero and “bad boy” Nick Kyrgios 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 4. Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, winner of the 2017 ATP Finals, wait on Sunday.
“I was almost on my way home when I had two break balls against me at the beginning of the third set. I’m very proud of how I got through there, and that definitely gives me a huge boost for everything that comes after.” Thiem said relieved after finishing the job. For the fourth time in his career, the 27-year-old was able to turn a 0-2 in sets into a five-set triumph, in the US Open final against Alexander Zverev last fall that even earned him his first major title.
Unlike the thriller against Kyrgios, the game against Dimitrov will take place this time in front of empty ranks. The third round hit was initially one of the last games of the Australian Open in front of an audience. Authorities reimposed restrictions on 13 corona cases in a quarantine hotel. “It’s a shame for us and the fans,” Thiem laments.
On Sunday he will play a Grand Slam round of 16 for the 15th time, with which he has also beaten Thomas Muster (14 important rounds of 16). The game against Kyrgios was, by the way, his 100th major game, he now has 74-26 wins.
Dimitrov, number 21 in the ATP rankings, will be a tough nut to crack. “The fast conditions suit him very well,” says Thiem.
Novak Djokovic had more problems than expected yesterday against Taylor Fritz in 7: 6 (1), 6: 4, 3: 6, 4: 6, 6: 2. It is not known if he will be able to face Milos Raonic on Sunday. The Serbs suffered an abdominal muscle injury.
