Thiem aiming to dethrone ‘king’ of Melbourne Park

Dominic Thiem will try to dethrone the “king” of Rod Laver Arena when he plays in his third grand slam final at the Australian Open tomorrow.

The 26-year-old Austrian followed up his stunning win over Rafael Nadal by defeating Alexander Zverev 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4) in another tense encounter.

Once thought of as a clay-courter, Thiem has transformed himself into one of the best players in the world on hard courts and, after final losses to Nadal at the French Open the last two years, he will now take on Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park.

The Serbian, who defeated Roger Federer on Thursday, has won all seven finals he has contested here and already holds the men’s record for most titles won. Thiem said with a wry smile: “I’m always facing the kings of a grand slam in the final.

“We are playing in tough times, we young players. We always have to beat all these unbelievable legends.”

To reach the final at Roland Garros last June, Thiem overcame Djokovic in five sets, ending the world No 2’s hopes of winning four straight slam titles.

Of their last five meetings, the Austrian has come out on top in four – including a brilliant encounter at the ATP Finals in London in November, where Thiem went on to make the final.

“It’s absolutely his comfort zone here. He always plays his best tennis in Australia since many, many years. So I’m expecting that as well in the finals,” said Thiem.

“I think I have to keep a good balance. Of course, I have to risk a lot. I have to go for many shots. At the same time, not too much. That’s a very thin line.

“In the last match against him, I hit that line perfectly in London.”

Dominic Thiem will compete in his third grand slam final.