Although Dominic Thiem(6) entered this match-up with no previous wins against the second-seeded Novak Djokovic, he had some confidence behind him since he has reached this crucial stage of the tournament without dropping a set. This is a replay of last season’s Semi-Final here, or most recently, this season’s Semi-Final in Rome. Djokovic won both matches in straight sets.
The two men traded breaks of serve in the third and fourth games. The Thiem backhand was clicking early on…he had registered 5 backhand winners already by the fourth game – the fourth game lasted more than 12′.
The former world number 1 had the slight advantage, leading by 4 games to 2, but Thiem had little trouble retrieving the break of serve and subsequently held for 4 all on the board. Both men were erratic as the rallies wore on…going for a bit too much on their shots and generally impatient. Neither man had difficulties with playing defensively, as their both fit and in form; with the least differences in playing styles as well.
An opening set Tie Break was what would determine the winner of the set. Thiem arguably squandered a set point on his own serve, but won the set on the Djokovic serve 7-6(5). Djokovic had returned serve well with a forehand shot down the line, which had Thiem on the stretch for his second shot. Djokovic had the advantage, but in the end, there was very little separating the two after the end of the set.
Both Thiem and Djokovic had not done too well behind their second serve. Theim won 44% of the points behind his second serve and Djokovic 40%.
Thiem took full advantage of a struggling Djokovic, whose serve was not working for him at all. His game had far too many inconsistencies for a player of his standards. Thiem served for a 2 sets to love lead at 5-3 and won the set.
Thiem went on to advance in straight sets, winning 7-6(5) 6-3 6-0. This is his first win against Djokovic, and it comes at the worst time for Djokovic, as it leaves him with more questions on how to self-motivate himself to get back to the top again. Thiem will meet Rafael Nadal, who moved on after Pablo Carreño Busta retired with injury in the other Quarter-Final match.
