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Dominic Thiem has Sunday night in the final of the US Open 2020 Alexander Zverev 2: 6, 4: 6, 6: 4, 6: 3 and 7: 6 (6), making Thiem the second Austrian player to win a major title after Thomas Muster in 1995.
by Jens Huiber
Last edit: September 14, 2020 8:39 am
© Getty Images
After more than three weeks in quarantine, Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev finally whistled about USTA security protocol. After more than four hours of play in a match in which Zverev seemed so confident that he was on the road to victory, with two sets and a break advantage, the two opponents simply fell into each other’s arms. Crown or not. “It feels like we’ve both been tested 14 times.” Thiem said at his press conference. “We didn’t put anyone in danger. So it was good.”
The longer the game lasted in the empty Arthur Ashe Stadium, the more force seemed to give way to Zverev. Which was also noticeable on serving, which he shook off his shoulder with no problem in the first two rounds and hardly returnable for Thiem. But then it was the Austrian who limped the spot with a score of 6: 5 in the decision. Thiem resigned from a medical timeout and of course resigned from his service following the history of this party.
The tie-break was the logical ending sequence in this match, and it was equally logical that Thiem could not use his first two chances to win. Especially the forehand from midfield at 6: 4 seemed quite feasible. However, not in the fifth set of a match, which is the first Grand Slam success of his career. Zverev helped moments later with a backhand error, Thiem went down.
Thiem vs. Nadal 2018 closing
Just over 25 years after Thomas Muster at Roland Garros, a second Austrian has managed to win one of the four great tennis titles. That was expected more in Paris on sand, but the final entry at the 2020 Australian Open has shown Dominic Thiem is ready for the big shot, even on hard court.
In New York, the now 27-year-old had already indicated in the 2018 quarterfinals against Rafael Nadal what he is capable of. Two years ago, however, Thiem had to admit defeat to the Spaniard in the fifth-set tie-break. This year there will be no big celebrations in New York City. With the teacher in person plus the coach Nicolas Massu, the physio Alex Stober and his friend Lucas Leitner, Thiem’s travel group finally only includes four people.
Father Wolfgang Thiem stayed in Austria as did Brother Moritz. The newly crowned US Open champion had a conversation with him via a video wall minutes after his triumph. Two words are remembered: “Madness.” And “deranged”. Probably also because Thiem entered the game very nervous. Experience did not help him: in the back of his head he was always buzzing that he would have been in important finals with another 0: 4 loss, explained the champion during the PK. But: With the victory in New York City, you can now enter the next big tournaments much more relaxed.
In line with Borg, Agassi, Lendl
The historical dimension of Dominic Thiem’s success can also be seen in the statistics of how many players in the Open Era managed to win a Grand Slam tournament after a 2-0 deficit. On this list, Thiem is only number five after legends Björn Borg, Ivan Lendl and Andre Agassi and Gaston Gaudio.
Like his first game, it would have helped this game if the usual New York energy had come from the stands. “It would have helped us both towards the end of the game,” Thiem said. At first it would not have been helpful. “A murmur would have gone through the audience here and there.” He played so bad. “But in the fifth set we both gave absolutely everything, we took everything out, physically and mentally. The support would have been good.”
Dominic Thiem will do it at the French Open at Roland Garros. The only open question is whether he will go to Paris without practicing the match: Thiem and his last opponent, Zverev, canceled the tournament in Rome. There was still the option of serving at Rothenbaum in Hamburg. The problem there: the final is scheduled for Sunday, September 27. But that’s also the first day of the French Open. The new champion didn’t want to worry about those things Sunday night in New York.
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