Erste Bank Open Vienna: now live

Thiem gives Rublev two minor errors since 15:15. The world number eight punishes him with another right whip.

Rublev also puts a lot of pressure on the backhand side and gets 0:30. Thiem responds with two aces en suite and then benefits from his opponent’s backhand error. With Ace # 3, Lichtenwörther equal 3: 3.

Rublev starts off with two good serves, but then makes two quick mistakes. Thiem does the same and gives the Moscow man a game ball. He uses it with an ace.

Rublev is the most active player, but he still makes one or two more mistakes. With a sensational setback, Thiem finally wins the game.

A bitter return error by Thiem gives Rublev his second ball. That fits too: strong forehand.

A double fault gives Thiem a second break chance, but Rublev also defuses it with a good serve. With a good cut serve, by the way, often a good remedy, as described in Marco Kühn’s recently published article, the Russian gets a game ball. Thiem defends himself against this thanks to a quick forehand.

The pace is incredibly fast even at this early stage of the game. Rublev launches with the forehand but Thiem holds up well and then gets lucky with a net scooter at 30:30. The Russian defends himself against breakball with a relatively humorless ace.

But Thiem also starts well and uses his strong forehand profitably twice. Rublev scores two points thanks to two good returns, but at 40:30 a backhand from the 23-year-old lands behind the line.

Sensational start of the Russian. Right winners and then three strong serves: to zero you win the first game.

Andrey Rublev served. Have fun!

… the two have clashed before. In 2017, Thiem clearly won in two sets; a similar result would surprise us today.

… the two are 2: 1 for Thiem. The last match, however, was for the Russian: Rublev prevailed in Hamburg in 2019.

… it will be a real festival for fans of fast bottom tennis. Because both Rublev and Thiem can exert as much pressure as very few players on tour.

… Dominic Thiem and Andrey Rublev will enter center court shortly. And we are hot for the game!

… The Erste Bank Open semi-finalist is Kevin Anderson. The South African beat Daniil Medvedev 6: 4 and 7: 6 (5).

… just won the first set against Daniil Medvedev 6: 4. After this game comes the third appearance of Dominic Thiem; With us, of course, you will be well informed.

Hello and welcome to the live ticker of the match between Dominic Thiem and Andrey Rublev.