ATP Finals London: Dominic Thiem - reunion with Alexander Zverev
Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev spent a lot of time together in autumn. In a tennis match, but the two have not met for some time.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Nov 15, 2019, 11:00 pm
By Jens Huiber from London
How had Dominic Thiem before the ATP Finals but in wise foresight said: There would have been no longer a match against Alexander Zverev, because the two have played by their respective successes in a position in the world rankings, out of which they at the earliest in Semifinals can meet. Well: that's exactly what happened to Zverev's success against Daniil Medvedev on Friday night.
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It comes to the eighth duel between the Austrian and the German, who call themselves quite good friends, have already played together twice at the Laver Cup. According to current interpretations, this is the surest sign that the chemistry between two individual athletes really starts to be right. However, Thiem and Zverev can credibly assure that they can do well together not only since Prague 2017 and Geneva 2019.
Thiem wins in Roland Garros
The fact that he now competes against buddy Thiem, just show that they had both played well, said Zverev still on the court. At the last sporting encounter, the native of Hamburg, however, has no good memories: 2018 in Roland Garros was a joyful awaited Quarter-finals, Zverev dragged himself slightly injured and probably well drawn by three five-set matches in the rounds previously over the full season. Could never endanger Thiem.
A week before, things had looked different in the final of Madrid, where Thiem was back on the defensive right from the start, Zverev set the pace with a shot and also from the bottom line. That with the serve works well in London for Zverev also in London. At least in those two matches he could win. At least Zverev did not let a single breakball go against Medvedev, neither did Rafael Nadal for the first time. In between, however, Stefanos Tsitsipas had briefly interrupted the course of the German number.
Zverev vulnerable to prolonged rallies
So, the return will probably be the decisive blow on Saturday evening (live from 21:00 CET on Sky, ServusTV and in our live ticker). Because if the ball flew more than four times over the net, then the statistic Daniil Medvedev against Zverev clearly had the advantage. Dominic Thiem knows that, of course. And on Saturday, he can also call on coach Nicolas Massu. He may then take his place in the box of the Austrian. Boris Becker, who would not deny a certain closeness to Alexander Zverev, sat on the opposite side of the Zverev clan on Friday night.