Thiem powers up for daunting Djokovic clash
Austrian blasts into final by defeating Zverev Novak is the king of Australia, he admits
A clash between two German speakers on Rod Laver Arena threw up a real blitzkrieg of tennis, with both men firing thunderbolts in all directions.
Eventually, Austria’s Dominic Thiem overcame Germany’s Alexander Zverev in four sets, thus proving himself to be both the biggest hitter in modern tennis and the closest challenger to the “Big Three”.
Even so, Thiem still finds himself in a position analogous to the silentmovie star tied to the railway tracks, waiting for the train called Novak Djokovic to come along.
You could tell from Thiem’s cautious post-match interview that he knows how far he still stands from the honey pot. “I’ll try [to win the title],” he told John Mcenroe, “but I was twice in Roland Garros finals facing Rafa [Nadal] and now I am facing Novak here.
“He is the king of Australia so I am always facing the kings of the grand slam in the final. I will try my best, and if I walk off the court in two days [without the trophy] I still have to be patient.”
There are echoes of Andy Murray’s early days as a grand-slam contender, when he was often pitched against a peaking Roger Federer.
The extraordinary consistency of today’s top players means that, unlike in the old days, you hardly ever get to face a Cedric Pioline, or a Malivai Washington, to name just two of the less distinguished Wimbledon finalists of the late 20th Century.
In Thiem’s case, he has already overcome Nadal in Wednesday’s quarter-final. So, to lift the title, he will have to perform a feat that only Stan Wawrinka has achieved: beating both Nadal and Djokovic in the same major.
The comparison is apt because Thiem is effectively Wawrinka version 2.0. Both put one in mind of D’artagnan, wielding their rackets in grand, slashing swoops and carves. And both love to hit their one-handed backhand up the line.
If Thiem is to end Djokovic’s 100 per cent record in Australian Open finals, he will have to keep playing this spectacular shot – which requires a Frisbee-throwing motion – until his right shoulder gives out.
Djokovic usually hovers crosscourt, waiting for the easier option over the lower part of the net.
After going down to a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 defeat yesterday, Zverev sang his opponent’s praises. “It’s more difficult [to beat Djokovic]. But he has a chance. He [Thiem] is playing the best tennis of his life.”
Thiem is never the most charismatic in the interview room, but his full-force ball striking makes spectators gasp. His is the sort of swashbuckling style that most park players would aspire to.
Zverev played his part, landing an extraordinary 81 per cent of first serves in his first major semi-final, and unleashing one of the shots of the tournament when he smashed an overhead passing shot from yards behind the baseline.
The watching Djokovic will have enjoyed the draining nature of this 3hr 42min slugfest. But the defending champion would probably have preferred a different opponent in tomorrow’s final. Thiem has won four of their past five meetings – including two grand-slam showdowns at Roland Garros.
“It’s true,” said Thiem. “I won more of the last encounters than he did. But it doesn’t count so much. It’s absolutely his comfort zone here. He always plays his best tennis in Australia since many, many years.
“We are playing in tough times, we young players,” added Thiem, 26. “We always have to beat all these unbelievable legends. I have to risk a lot. I have to go for many shots. That’s a very thin line. In the last match against him, I hit that line perfectly.”
That last match came at London’s O2 Arena in November, where Thiem edged a hard-court classic in three jaw-dropping sets. Unless he rediscovers that same blend of poise and power, the Djokovic train will roll right over him.
8.30am tomorrow, Eurosport