[ad_1]
The world number two defeated Vienna winner Andrej Rublew of Russia 6: 3 6: 4 in the second group match on Sunday night. Thiem, who entered the semi-finals as the group winner after victories over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic last year, will face the third player of the “big three” this time in London on Tuesday (not before 3:00 pm CET), for the first time in the ATP finals.
For Thiem, it will be his 15th game with the 13-time French Open winner. Thiem is head to head 5: 9, but has the last duel in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January with 7: 6 (7/3) 7: 6 (7/4) 4: 6 7: 6 (8 / 6) decided for themselves. In Tuesday’s next group match Thiem, Tsitsipas and Rublew face off, on Thursday Thiem will play his last group match against Rublew.
Thiem wins the start of the ATP final against Tsitsipas
Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas, 22, had nothing to do with each other in the empty London O2 stadium. Austria’s athlete of the year won in 2:17 hours with 7: 6 (7/5) 4: 6 6: 3.
Hope for improvement against Nadal
“I am happy to have finished the game in a positive way,” said Thiem, who wanted to prepare for his second outing on Monday with good training. “I hope I can improve on Tuesday,” was his fault. “Nadal is Nadal, he is the favorite in all tournaments. I also think he is fitter and better prepared than in recent years, simply because the season was not that long, “Thiem said even before the Spaniard’s first appearance.
Nadal was happy for his “positive start” to his 10th ATP final, where he finally wants to win the Masters title that is still missing. “My serve worked very well today. Now I have a super difficult match against Dominic in front of me, but I managed to win in two sets. That gives me confidence, ”Nadal said after his initial success.
Thiem described the conditions at the O2 Arena, without the usual 17,500 fans, as “really fast”. That’s why the serve, especially that of the outside world, is “really important.” “If you serve well, chances are high that the point is yours.”
Life in the “bubble” is a problem for Thiem
As grateful as Thiem is that he can even stumble upon his sport amid the coronavirus pandemic, it is also mentally draining for him to play without a spectator. And the strict life of “bubble” without distractions is also a problem. “The atmosphere of 17,000 people brings so much positive energy that is lacking. Now you have to cheer up all the time, give yourself energy. That’s exhausting. “
In addition, it only goes from the hotel to the hall and vice versa. And not even on foot despite the hallway right next door. Of course, distractions such as a meal in the city, small excursions, etc. are not mentioned. “It’s difficult because we have maybe two or three minutes of fresh air all day and we don’t see any sun. But it’s still great that the tournament is going on. ”Thiem didn’t want to be misunderstood. “But it can also be very, very lonely,” said Thiem, who also has his little brother Moritz in London to cheer him on.
ATP World Tour Finals in London
(Great Britain, $ 5.7 million, indoor court, hard court)
