Fifth seed Dominic Thiem defeated seventh seed Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 ( 4) to book his place in the final of the Australian Open final for the first time. Thiem will face Novak Djokovic, after the – time Grand Slam winner ousted an ailing Roger Federer
to reach his eighth Melbourne final – after winning all seven he has played before.
Path to semi-final: Dominic Thiem made the semi-final with an incredible 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (6) win over world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the quarter-final while Alexander Zverev defeated a former Australian Open champion in Stan Wawrinka 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Both Thiem and Zverev showed great mental strength in their respective quarter-finals with Thiem fighting off Nadal are getting broken while serving for the match and Zverev bounced back brilliantly after losing the first set in a flash. Read More
Dominic Thiem after the match …
“It was an unreal match, two tie-breaks, too tough and too close. It was almost impossible to break him on his serve, so accurate. But Australian Open final, unreal! I was playing four hours against Rafa, the most intense guy on tour. I was in bed at five that night with all the adrenaline so today was a tough start for me.
“In grand slam semi-finals the levels of guts is so high, there were many key moments. At 5-4 in the second, I had to save many set points.
“I felt I was in Austria on a skiiing holiday where they play this song all the time [when they played Sweet Caroline over the PA during the break when some of the lights went out]. It loosened me up a bit.
“Tie-breaks are always fifty-fifty. I started both well but it was close. I was feeling nerves, I was putting so much effort in and my stomach was not ready for that, it was rebelling a bit but it went away again. It often happens in big matches. “
– #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) (January) ,
Thiem Beats Zverev to Book Final vs Djokovic Dominic Thiem beats Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) to book his place in the final of the Australian Open against defending champion Novak Djokovic
Thiem will be playing for a major championship on a hard court for the first time at the Australian Open after losing the last two French Open finals to Rafael Nadal. The fifth-seeded Thiem dropped the first set against the seventh-seeded German, who was playing in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time, before rallying to take the victory.
The roof was closed on Rod Laver Arena during the first set when it started raining. The roof had been closed earlier in the day for doubles matches when the temperature hit (degrees F) degrees Celsius at Melbourne Park.
(Thiem Supreme) @ ThiemDomi earns his way into a maiden # AusOpen final 3-6 6-4 7-6 (3) 7-6 (4) over Zverev to meet Djokovic for the title. (# AO) | # AusOpen pic.twitter.com/EtzpDLDtgn – #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) (January) ,
5: (pm (IST))
)
5: (pm (IST)
Thiem Takes 3rd Set 7-6 Dominic Thiem takes the third set 7-6 (3) against Alexander Zverev. The fifth-seeded Thiem saved two sets points with powerful ground strokes in the 20 th game of the third, and then dominated the tiebreaker by winning four of the last five points.
Zverev won the first set 6-3 but Thiem, a two-time French Open runner-up, rallied to win the next two 6-4, 7 -63).
Play was delayed for seven minutes after the first game of the set because the players reported some lights going out on Rod Laver Arena. The tournament referee was called but light readings showed the light level to be OK to continue.
Thiem won the next three games to lead 3-1, but Zverev leveled after a long hold in the fifth game and breaking in the sixth. Thiem 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 ( 3) Zverev
– ATP Tour (@atptour) January 43,
3rd Set Goes to Tiebreak
Zverev Breaks Thiem
3: (pm (IST)
After about a 7-minute break, Dominic Thiem serves to hold his serve – to equalize in the third set. Serving second, he will be under pressure in the whole set and will be looking for an early break to get some advantage. Thiem 3-6, 6-4, 1-1 Zverev
3: (pm (IST)
There is some problem with the lighting in the stadium. The chair umpire has complained to the Tournament Director about the light getting into his eyes and the match is currently halted to fix the problem. Thiem 3-6, 6-4, 0-1 Zverev
And we are on level terms in the semi-final! Dominic Thiem serves out the second set after fending off two break points with some trademark courageous play. Thiem still does not look at his best and looks tentative at times but both he and Zverev are grinding it out there for a spot in their first Australian Open final.
Thiem 3-6, 6-4, 0-0 Zverev Oh, the twists and turns …. @ThiemDomi fends off two break points and narrowly navigates his way to the second set 6-4 in a symmetrical minutes. # AO # AusOpen pic.twitter.com/mLWsDV1JCx- #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) (January) ,
Thiem consolidates the break with the hold of his serve and a pretty comfortable one with 57 – Thiem 3-6, 3-1 Zverev
Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem both begin the second set with strong hold of serves. Thiem needs to get his first serves in if he wants to battle it out with Zverev, who has looked in extremely good shape this fortnight.
Thiem 3-6, 1-1 Zverev
3: 12 pm (IST)
Alexander Zverev takes the first set 6-3 to lead the men’s singles semi-final against Dominic Thiem 1-0. It was a comfortable set for Zverev apart from that one break of serve. Zverev kept it tight and upped his game towards the end to break Thiem twice and run away with the set. Thiem will need to change a bit of his game and look to keep his shots tight compared to his current situation, where the ball is spraying all over the court.
Thiem 3-6, 0-0 Zverev ATP Tour (@atptour)
Zverev Breaks Thiem | And the seventh seed strikes again! Zverev just upped the pace of the rallies in that service games and found excellent angles to leave Thiem stranded. On top of that, Zverev then held his serve to consolidate the break.
Thiem 3-5 Zverev
Both Thiem and Zverev are comfortable on the court now and are holding their serve quite easily. This is set to be a very interesting battle for the last place in the final.
Thiem 3-3 Zverev
The court is being mopped right now as drizzle has decended upon the Rod Laver Arena. The roof has been shut and now the game will be played in closed conditions.
Thiem 2-1 Zverev
Thiem Breaks Back Zverev | Excellent response from the Austrian! After getting broken in the first game of the semi-final, he hits back, forcing Zverev to make unforced errors and gets three break points, he converts his second as Zverev plays to the net and Thiem runs forth and plays the volley, in reply to which Zverev sends the ball wide. We’re back on serve!
Thiem 1-1 Zverev
Zverev Breaks Thiem | The Australian Open semi-final between Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev is serve-started by the Austrian and three unforced errors from him leaves him reeling at 0 – . Zverev looking very solid from the baseline early on and is getting to a lot of balls and keeping his shots tight. Thiem saves the first break point with a big serve down the T. He saves the second as Zverev’s forehand hits the net. Zverev converts the third break point as Thiem’s backhand goes wide.
Thiem 0-1 Zverev (The starstruck 🤝) # AusOpen | # AO @ ThiemDomi @ AlexZverev pic.twitter.com/Puvmjy3WiD
– #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) (January) ,
, 1: (pm (IST))
Other Results from Today: Women’s Doubles Final: [2] Kiki Mladenovic-Timea Babos beat [1] Hsieh Su-wei-Barbora Strycova 6-2, 6-1
Mixed Doubles Semi-finals:
[5] Nikola Mektic-Barbora Krejcikova beat [3] Gabriela Dabrowski-Henri Kontinen 3-6, 6-3, – 5 Jamie Murray-Bethanie Mattek-Sands beat Astra Sharma-John-Patrick Smith 6-3, 7-6 (4) Besties Best # AO # AusOpen | @ TimeaBabos | @ KikiMladenovic
Round 1: beat Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-3 Round 2: beat Egor Gerasimov (BLR) 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-5 Round 3: beat Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 Round 4: beat Andrey Rublev (RUS x) (6-4, 6-4, 6-4)
Quarter-final: beat Stan Wawrinka (SUI x) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
This is Dominic Thiem’s journey to the Australian Open semi-final. Round 1: beat Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 Round 2: beat Alex Bolt (AUS) 6-2, 5-7, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-2
Round 3: beat Taylor Fritz (USA x) 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4 Round 4: beat Gael Monfils (FRA x) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4
Quarter-final: beat Rafael Nadal (ESP x3) 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (6)
Semi-finalists’ Fact File | Here are some quick facts about Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev: Thiem: (Age -) ; World ranking – 5; Prize money – $ , , ; Career titles – 28; Grand Slam titles – 0; Australian Open best – Semi-finals (472910892)
The Austrian is best known as a clay-court specialist, making the last two French Open finals where he was beaten by Rafael Nadal. A baseliner with a one-handed backhand, he came through a tough five-setter in round three and showed his class by upsetting Nadal in the last eight. Coached by former world number nine Nicolas Massu, he signalled his intentions by winning five titles last year.
Zverev: (Age -) ; World ranking – 7; Prize money – $ , 0 , ; Career titles – ; Grand Slam titles – 0; Australian Open best – Semi-finals (472910892)
The 6ft 6ins ( (cm) German has been threatening to break through at the Slams since bursting into the top in 472910892. But it has taken him time to make an impact, with the Melbourne Park semi-final his first at a Major. Rated one of the sport’s most marketable stars, he is coached by his father, also called Alexander and a former professional player.
Dominic Thiem leads Alexander Zverev 6-2 in their head-to-head record and they last played in the semi-finals of ATP Finals , where the Austrian emerged victorious against the German. – ATP Tour (@atptour) (January) ,
Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev are close friends all the field and the Austrian, who is known for his exemplary sportsmanship, knows he has to put it aside. “It’s funny because it’s the first time in a Grand Slam semi-final that I face a younger guy. We’re good friends. I’m happy that he’s playing so good. He made his breakthrough at a Grand Slam,” Thiem, who will be seeking a seventh win over Zverev, said.
“We have no secrets from each other. We’ve played so many times, also on special occasions already … It’s a nice rivalry. It’s great that we add an Australian Open semi-final. ” – #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) (January) ,
(Load More)
) Ahead of the semi-final, Thiem spoke about the match-up with Zverev and said, “We have no secrets from each other. I mean, we played so many times, also on very special occasions already, at the ATP Finals, semis , French Open quarters. It’s a nice rivalry we have. It’s great that we add an Australian Open semi-finals to this one. Going to be a close match again. “
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings