Dominic Thiem to play his first Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic
Austrian player Dominic Thiem (world no. 5) will play his first Australian Open final on Sunday against defending champion Novak Djokovic (no. 2), after defeating German Alexander Zverev (no. 7) in the semifinals on Friday; 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), and 7-6 (7/4).
Thiem, 26, has already reached two Grand Slam finals, losing both times to Rafael Nadal in Roland Garros 2018 and 2019, whom he eliminated in the quarterfinals of the current edition of the Australian Open.
In a very balanced match that lasted 3 hours and 42 minutes, Thiem was able to come back after losing the first set. Zverev, brilliant at times, lacked the consistency to withstand a five-set match against a more experienced player like Thiem.
Four years older, Thiem showed more solidity and his tennis improved as the minutes went by. As it happened against Nadal, whom he beat in three tie breaks, he remained calm and accurate to win the two decisive sets that defined the match.
"It has been an incredible match, with two tie breaks, tough and very close. It was impossible to break his serve. Being in the final is amazing, a great start to the season for me," said Thiem in the post-match interview with American legend John McEnroe. AFP