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Dominic Thiem As in the previous year, they lost their third group match after two victories at the start of the ATP Finals. However, the signals this year are somewhat different from those of twelve months ago.
by Nikolaus Fink
Last edit: November 19, 2020, 7:03 p.m.
© GEPA Images
Two wins, one loss, an established 4: 3 ratio – there isn’t a huge difference in Dominic Thiem’s group results compared to last year. The Austrian also won his first two matches in 2019, only to later lose to the supposedly weaker group opponent.
As in the previous year, the consecutive loss in two sets against Andrey Rublev continues without major consequences for Lichtenwörther. The top spot in the table could not be taken from Thiem before the final matchday, and the 27-year-old will also surpass the 200 points lost.
Thiem in top form in the semi-finals
“In the back of my head I always had the fact that I was already qualified. Therefore, the loss is not very painful,” Thiem said. Of course he would have wanted the “100 percent” victory, but at the same time it was difficult for him to maintain his intensity after the grueling matches against Tsitsipas and Nadal.
And so the US Open winner quickly looked ahead again. The next challenge for third place in the world rankings awaits in the semifinals on Saturday; this could lead to a new edition of the previous year’s semifinal against Alexander Zverev. The prerequisite for this is a victory for the German against Novak Djokovic.
So almost everything seems to be the same as last year. But Thiem himself made some differences: “The results are similar, but last year I was sick and had the same problems with my foot as in Vienna I was very happy to pass the third game of the group that I have … It is urgently needed the rest of the day. This year is a little different because I am in good physical shape and great things do not hurt me “.
He has no preference regarding the opponent in the semi-finals, explains Thiem, who still easily sees Zverev as the favorite against Djokovic: “If he (Djokovic, note) plays like yesterday, Sascha is probably even being favored.” But this could always change: If he’s fit, Djokovic is probably the strongest player on the field on indoor hard courts.
Thiem doesn’t see a tournament favorite
This year, however, was extremely balanced, according to Thiem, no favorites have emerged yet. It is clear that the Austrian himself is definitely one of the best candidates for the tournament victory, at least if he can bring a similar performance to the field as against Tsitsipas and Nadal.
“I have to find the performance that I called on Sunday and Tuesday again,” the 27-year-old knows. “If I can do that, I will have my chance against both of them.” And also the possibility of organizing the final of the tournament in a different way than twelve months ago.
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