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“Whatever happens, I’m a Grand Slam winner. No one can take that away from me.” Following his triumph at the US Open almost two weeks ago, Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem started the French Open with a dash of serenity in New York, which is not only his favorite tournament, but also a history of success.
The 27-year-old from Lichtenwörther naturally performs at the highest level in Paris. In 2016 and 2017 he advanced to the semifinals, in 2018 and 2019 only the “king of clay” Rafael Nadal stopped him in the final. He can lose once against the Mallorcan, he has triumphed twelve times at Roland Garros.
There will definitely not be a new edition of the 2018 and 2019 finals this year. This time, Thiem would face the defending champion in the last four round. Before that, however, it will (probably) be necessary to get rid of other big names.
“Feel good”
“The draw could hardly have been worse,” admitted the world number three as he looked at the tournament tree.
In order to lift the coveted “Coupe des Mousquetaires” for the first time, Thiem might have to defeat four Grand Slam winners: Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open winner, is already waiting in the first round, in the round of 16 he could have a meeting come with Stan Wawrinka (3 main titles) or Andy Murray (3). In the semifinals it would be Nadal (19) and in the final it would be number 1, Novak Djokovic (17).
The start against Cilic, who will soon turn 32, is difficult: “It was very tight in New York, I missed a fifth sentence,” Thiem recalls of his success in four sets in the third round. “Marin is a true champion,” said the “Dominator”, not for the first time.
Rodionovs premiere
Regardless of this, the red-white-red showcase athlete feels well prepared for his mission in Paris. On Thursday he completed his first two training sessions at the well-known Bois de Boulogne facilities in the 16th arrondissement.
“As I almost only have good memories of the tournament, I had a good feeling from the beginning,” Thiem reported in a video conference. That was yesterday morning, at a time when two other Austrians were fighting for a place in the main competition starting tomorrow. For Jurij Rodionov, who beat Sebastian Ofner 6: 4, 3: 6, 6: 3, it is a Grand Slam debut.
The 21-year-old from Lower Austria, who has won three Challenger tournaments to date and is ranked 169th in the world, took the next step up the career ladder. Coach Wolfgang Thiem is delighted and two hearts beat in his chest because Dominic’s father also takes care of Ofner. And Dennis Novak, who can blatantly play US Open finalist Sascha Zverev (R) in the first round. By the way, Rodionov has to deal with Jeremy Chardy (Fra).
Thiem’s journey to the final?
If the favorites prevail, Dominic Thiem’s opponents would be on their way to the Roland Garros final:
Round Marin Cilic (Cro / WRL No. 39)
Second round Reilly Opelka (USA / 36)
Ronda Casper Ruud (Nor / 30)
Round of 16 Stan Wawrinka (Sui / 17)
Quarterfinals Gael Monfils (Fra / 9)
Semifinals Rafael Nadal (Esp / 2)
Final Novak Djokovic (Srb / 1)
Haas in the main competition
Barbara Haas is represented for the third time in a main competition of a tennis Grand Slam tournament. After two appearances at the US Open (2016, 2020), the 24-year-old Weyer dominated the qualification for the French Open in Paris for the first time. Haas defeated Romanian Elena Gabriele Ruse in inhospitable conditions (rain interruption, twelve degrees) 6: 4, 7: 5 and can expect a prize money of at least 60,000 euros gross. This should fund the next season. “I’m proud of myself,” said Haas, who will now meet Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe), the world’s number 63rd.
Article of
Alexander Zambarloukos
Sports editor
