Tennis
Dominic Thiem celebrated a win on his comeback on grass. The third in the world rankings prevailed on Tuesday in the semifinals at the invitation tournament in Berlin against 18-year-old South Tyrolean Jannik Sinner with 6: 3 7: 6 (7/5). In the final on Wednesday Austria’s number one will meet another Italian with Matteo Berrettini.
14.07.2020 18.16
Online since today, 18.16
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“I’m a bit surprised by myself. I served very well, which of course helped me. This is the only stroke that is independent of the surface, ”said Thiem after the game on ServusTV. The fifth duel against Berrettini is now waiting for the Austrian, who won the semi-final against Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 4: 6 6: 3 10/6.
The Lower Austrian, who last played on grass at Wimbledon over a year ago, sees the world ranking night as the favorite. “He feels very comfortable on grass and also won in Stuttgart last year. I see myself as an outsider, but maybe I can steal his victory, ”said Thiem, for whom it is head-to-head against Berrettini 2-2.
Sinner in the second sentence at eye level
Against Sinner, Thiem, who had only completed two training sessions on grass before, got off to a good start and made the decisive break 3-1 and no longer let this advantage be taken away. “In the beginning I was too hectic. I sometimes wanted to go online, but I didn’t do it well, ”said the 18-year-old Sinner, who is already 73rd in the ATP ranking.
In the second sentence, the South Tyrolean demonstrated why this is so. Especially with the backhand, Sinner always hits well worth seeing. For his part, Thiem could not take advantage of three break chances in the first game and 5: 5. In the tie-break he then just kept the upper hand and used his first match ball after a backhand error from Sinner.
“He served very well. In the end, only a few points decided the match. I still have to learn a lot. And I’m here to learn, ”said Sinner, pleased about the showdown with the third in the world rankings from Austria. There were words of praise from Thiem for the young star: “I defeated a very good player who is sure to become a top star in the future. An incredible path is inevitable for him. He has quick basic strokes, moves very well for his size and doesn’t really have a weakness, ”said Thiem.
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