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US Open, semi-finals
Dominik Tiim – Daniil Medvedev 6-2 7-6 (7) 7-6 (5)
Dominic Thiem has established himself as a regular at Grand Slam tournaments. The Austrian qualified for his fourth “major” final after beating Daniil Medvedev in an epic battle at the US Open, which made us completely forget that the Big Three are out of the race. Although the match was much more than even, the second in the scheme managed to take the victory after 6-2 7-6 (7) 7-6 (5).
The world No. 3 played two finals at Roland Garros, in 2018 and 2019, and this year he led by 2-1 sets in the final battle in Melbourne against Novak Djokovic. He lost after a reversal, but now he will have a shot at his first Slam award in a match. against Alexander Zverev.
Against the Russian team he caught up with a breakthrough in both the second and third sets. In both parts he faced setballs, but in key moments he showed his strong psyche and prevailed. Last year’s finalist also played a phenomenal match and it seems strange that he was unable to win even one set in his fight for a second “important” final.
The match was full of masterful performances from the main line, difficult shots, technical plays and complex tactics, which showed that the level of the Austrian and the Russian is no less than that of the Big Three. In the end, Team achieved the third success in four matches against Medvedev and became the first Austrian in history to qualify for the US Open final.
From the first point of the match it was clear that this will be one of the matches of the tournament. Both met a few meters behind the baseline and “bit” at the start with an exchange of blows from the baseline. The team was the first to break this trend, throwing a successful short ball in the fourth game, and then Medvedev missed a cut backhand. The Austrian called him to the net and passed it with a backhand to the right, which brought him a breakball. At that point, however, the Russian scored several good serves and ran away – 2-2.
In the sixth game, the world No. 3 reached a breaking point again after a good return from a forehand, and although Medvedev immediately neutralized it, the second-placed skilfully played a diagonal backhand, giving it another opportunity. This time he realized the opportunity, then solidified the break and led 5-2.
Thiem #United States Open (🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/Kjd8dSFkyt
– double defect28 (@ double defect28) September 12, 2020
The world №5 faced an argument with referee Damien Dumusois, who entered the opponent’s court to point out a scar from a ball he was challenging. However, he missed the mark because he was late with his decision and received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct. This made Medvedev nervous and he began to make more mistakes. He was 0-40 behind on his own serve, and the team hit a successful diagonal forehand to reach three consecutive set points. Daniel finished the part with only 25% of the points scored on the second kick, and the Team – with 100% on the first – 6-2.
Medvedev #United States Open (🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/d5dMhlscjN – double defect28 (@ double defect28) September 12, 2020
However, immediately after the break, the team made two errors from the baseline and then double-faulted to fall behind 15-40. Medvedev took advantage of another inaccuracy by the Austrian and took an early lead from the break and 2-0.
Little by little, the Russian adjusted his aim, reduced his errors and showed a varied game, as he won several points with successful short balls. He led convincingly and had a chance to serve for the set at 5-4, but that’s when he broke. The Austrian surprised him with a good forehand and skillful play at the net, and finally Daniel made a mistake and the second in the scheme tied 5-5.
On his next pass, Team double-faulted at 30-30, but neutralized it with a good serve for rights. Her first kickoff suddenly disappeared, but she saved a total of five breakballs thanks to her forehand to ensure a minimal tiebreaker.
In the long game, World Cup No. 3 was the first to secure a mini break after an error on the Russian’s short ball. However, Medvedev returned it at 2-3 after leaving the net. The team won a key point 5-4, but their opponent slipped very skillfully onto the court and secured a set ball at 6-5. The incredible performances continued: the team escaped after an ace and, in turn, hit a fixed ball, which their opponent reflected. The Austrian pulled the trigger from the right and reached a new opportunity, which he managed to take advantage of and lead by two parts difference: 7-6 (7).
The team played a good backhand to the right early in the third set and reached the breakball after receiving medical intervention for a minor problem in the right ankle. However, the Russian was saved and surprised his opponent from a lap to take a big lead and 2-0.
The world №5 began to play better and better, became much more effective in the playoffs after the first service: he won more than 70% of them and, although he made many unprovoked errors, he managed to neutralize them through winners. He reflected breakball at 3-1, and in the next game he missed a chance to break through to further increase his lead.
At 5-3, Medvedev again secured a chance to serve to win a set, but again he was met with incredible resistance from the team. The three-time Grand Slam finalist saved a setball and ultimately won an exceptionally intense and long play to restore the advance: 4-5.
Subsequently, the Austrian managed to score this part in the tiebreak, where he led 4-0. At 2-5, Medvedev showed incredible performance – serving net after a second kickoff and a perfect volley shot. He melted his deficit to 4-5 and began to impose his rhythm, but the team fired a backhand from the right and reached two match points. He decided to attack from the right, but made a mistake on the out. After that, however, the Russian broke down and the Austrian qualified for the final.
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