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In a US Open final that can hardly be beaten in terms of drama, Dominic Thiem wins against Alexander Zverev in five sets.
Alexander Zverev narrowly missed the first Grand Slam title of his career after a harrowing five-set match. The 23-year-old German lost in the final to Dominic Thiem of Austria on Sunday night in New York, despite leading the set 2-0 in five rounds. Zverev had to admit defeat 6: 2, 6: 4, 4: 6, 3: 6, 6: 7 (6: 8) after 4:01 hours. For Thiem, 27, it was the fourth attempt at a first Grand Slam victory. He is the first player in 16 years to win the title in a final after a 2-0 deficit in the set. In the tie-break, the cramping Austrian seized his third match point.
Zverev’s ray
Thiem is the first Grand Slam champion since Swiss Stan Wawrinka at the 2016 US Open, who is not named Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer. Nadal and Federer did not start at Flushing Meadows this year, Djokovic was disqualified in the round of 16 because he had shot a frustrated linesman with the ball. This cleared the way for a winner outside of the Big Three. Zverev missed the big opportunity, while Thiem finally fulfilled his big dream. In the tenth duel between the two, it was Zverev’s eighth loss. At the end of the several-hour roller coaster, Thiem fell backward onto the blue track and covered his face with his hands. Zverev went to the other side of the net, congratulated his opponent fairly and hugged him, not entirely compatible with Corona.
Zverev got off to a brilliant start at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which is mostly deserted due to strict hygiene conditions. Unlike the previous two matches, when the German number one started waiting and hesitant and always lost the first set, Zverev was there from the beginning and surprised his friend Thiem with aggressive and courageous tennis. By 2: 1, Zverev took the service of the visibly nervous Austrian, by 5: 2 he managed another break. After just half an hour, Zverev got the first set 6-2. He looked a bit incredulous at his opponent, four years his senior, whom he had previously called “my best friend on tour.”
Ailing thiem
Zverev remained very focused and was not bothered by the fact that Thiem was obviously not moving as well as usual. At the beginning of the second stage he also managed a quick break to make it 2-1, Zverev decided what happened at will. He walked away to 5: 1, but then he obviously got nervous. The world number seven missed four set balls and also lost his serve for the first time in this match. Thiem now felt his chance, also because Zverev made some small mistakes. But Zverev kept his nerves and got the second step with the fifth set. But just one sentence from the big dream, Zverev was getting more and more nervous. Aggression and evidence were lost, the error rate increased. Since Thiem also remained well below his level, an ending developed at a moderate level at times. Thiem benefited and got the third set. Zverev didn’t seem surprised at first and kept the fourth round open. Both players have now improved again and have finally thrown an exciting exchange of blows. Thiem managed to equalize the set and also took the lead with a break in the deciding set. But Zverev showed, as so many times, a great fighter’s heart and immediately removed Thiem from service. He made the break to 5: 3, but immediately conceded the replay to 5: 4. Finally, it was an upper-class match that found a worthy end in the tie-break, with the furious ending for Thiem, who was riddled with cramps. .
Match!
Dominic Thiem wins! What game!
7: 6
Thiem has his third match point and that with his own serve!
6: 6
This drama is amazing. Thiem puts the ball along the line after Zverev nearly double faulted again.
6: 5
That does not exist! A simple forehand to Thiem’s net!
5: 4
Zverev makes the point, but Thiem has two serves.
5: 3
Double fault !! Zverev’s nerves are bare!
4: 3
Good service from Thiem. Where did you get it from?
3: 3
Thiem only plays Slice, but Zverev makes the mistake. What a strange ending.
2. 3
The next service returns.
2: 2
Zverev makes a double mistake! While Thiem just limps! What’s going on here?
1: 2
He’s still trying somehow, but it doesn’t look good at all.
0: 2
Thiem can’t anymore! Obviously, he can no longer move properly.
0: 1
Zverev makes the first point. But Thiem doesn’t run smoothly.
6: 6
That’s the way it is! Zverev is saved in the tie-break with a forehand winner. For the first time in the history of the US Open, the winner will be decided in the tie-break.
15:40
Zverev has two ways to break up again! What else? This game has to go into a tie-break.
15:30
An extremely difficult volley from Thiem and gets her into the corner.
0:30
But Zverev doesn’t want to give up here. Is incredible.
Is that the possibility? Thiem leads 6: 5 and a break in the fifth set and now the physio enters the field. The Austrian seems to have a problem in his right thigh. How incredibly bitter would that be now?
6: 5
And there is the break anyway !! The rally did not want to stop and in the end Zverev shot from the right.
