Thiem opponent Koepfer is annoyed: "Started well, then he sent me from left to right for two sentences"
Dominik Koepfer was extremely angry after the painful lesson from US Open Champion Dominic Thiem .
by SID
last edit:
Feb 10, 2021, 09:49 am
Especially about the fact that he had lost his head after a brave start. "I struggled with myself," said Koepfer: "I waste my energy criticizing and destroying myself on the pitch. That doesn't help, and then it will be difficult to come back against a player like that."
Before that, Koepfer clearly missed a surprise in the 4: 6, 0: 6, 2: 6 defeat after only 1:39 hours in the second round of the Australian Open against the strong Austrian. The 26-year-old from the Black Forest is waiting for his second third round entry in a Grand Slam tournament after the US Open 2019.
Koepfer, who had confidently defeated the Bolivian Hugo Dellien in the first round, started strong and initially played at eye level with Thiem. But he failed to take advantage of his two early break chances and the world number three then took control.
"I was looking forward to the match against one of the top players," said Koepfer: "I started really well, then he sent me from left to right for two sentences." Thiem used Koepfer's weakness on the backhand side mercilessly, dominated at will and pulled away. The second German professional left in the tournament next to Alexander Zverev pushed frustration, and the resistance was broken.
Here you can read the game between Thiem and Koepfer in the live ticker
Here is the men's single tableau
laver arena