Dominic Thiem ended the tennis year 2018 as number eight in the world, the Lower Austrian won a strong 54 out of a fabulous 74 games. In Abu Dhabi, Thiem will test his shape in a show fight in just a few days, then it will continue to Doha.

We want to take another look at the highlights of Dominic Thiem's tennis year 2018. Very subjective, especially since the two most remarkable matches of the past season ended in defeat.

Against Nadal in New York close to victory

Best match of the year: Quarter-finals at the US Open against Rafael Nadal. At Arthur Ashe Stadium, Thiem rushed over the number one, the defending champion, 6-0 in just over 20 minutes, standing at the end of 6-0, 4-6, 5-7, 7-6 (4) and 6 : 7 (5) only two points from the first entry into the semi-finals in New York.

Thiem had played the whole match very aggressively (the match before that against Kevin Anderson should not be missing when considering the best matches of the year), and also shot the frustration of the defeat in 2017 against Juan Martin del Potro. It would have been against him in the semi-finals. Next year, next year, please.

Most important match of the year: Final of the French Open, again against Rafael Nadal. First Grand Slam final for Dominic Thiem, with the tailwind of success against the Spaniard in Madrid behind. Alone: Everything must come together against Nadal on Court Philippe Chatrier. 4: 6, 3: 6, 2: 6, it didn't all come together.

The tournament victories: It started for Dominic Thiem in Buenos Aires, with four victories without losing the set. Aljaz Bedene had been waiting in the final, basically no job for the Lichtenwörther. 6: 2, 6: 4, the result does not reflect Thiem's superiority.

In Lyon the week before the French Open, nothing went really easy, against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Dusan Lajovic and in the final against Gilles Simon, the Austrian had to go the whole distance.

In St. Petersburg, Dominic Thiem finally ticked off a few open points in his vita: especially with his successes against Roberto Bautista Agut and especially in the final against Martin Klizan, against whom Thiem had lost at home in Kitzbühel. With 6: 3 and 6: 1, the 25-year-old won a tournament in the hall for the first time.