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Sunday (starting at 3pm, in the LIVE ticker) will be serious for tennis ace Dominic Thiem. In his third appearance at the ATP World Tour final, the 25-year-old meets Kevin Anderson in the opening game.
For the third time this year and for the ninth time in a row, Thiem and the South African meet.
In the "Lleyton Hewitt" group, Lower Austria also meets superstar Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori. The Japanese finished his dream of victory in the Wiener Stadthalle.
For the Masters, however, the Austrian number one has won a lot.
Thiem vs Anderson – here you will not miss a rally:
2018 with ups and downs
But even though he managed the London hat trick, the routine or habit of this event of scale with two daily sessions of 17,500 spectators did not become for him.
"No, it's a quite special event, which is completely different from the arrival, as you can see, initially, it's really good that I'm here for the third time , especially in the year because I had it put me at the beginning of the year, "Thiem told APA.
In addition, there were also ups and downs in 2018 and he was out of the top 8 for quite some time. "I'm happy to have succeeded, even though it was a last minute qualification."
The fact that after Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) and Rafael Nadal (ESP) had to cancel two major stars injured, and that he would have done anyway, it does not matter. "I was much more relaxed than when Federer won against Nishikori (in Paris-Bercy, note)."
Good series against Anderson
Two years ago he only succeeded because Nadal canceled his candidacy. Thiem states, however, that "everyone here deserves it, because in the end it is also a quality that fits most of the year." If some people can not do it, others can do it. . like Nishikori or Isner now. "
Thiem arrived with his higher demands than recently on his third master. A single round of series as in 2016 against the French Gael Monfils and last year, Rafael Nadal replaced after a match of Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) would like to give more to Thiem in 2018.
Last year, he participated in the last group duel with finalist David Goffin for promotion in the semifinal against Roger Federer. This year, he has the Swiss superstar in his group.
But Thiem initially opens against South African Anderson. The Viennese winner had won the first six matches against Niederösterreicher from 2014 to 2017, but this year, Thiem managed to turn the tide with two undefeated victories: in the semifinals of the Masters 1000 clay court with 6: 4: 2 : 2. and – even more valuable – on hard ground in the round of 16 of the US Open with 7: 5.6: 2.7: 6 (2).
"I want to avoid that"
The starting position is after his best professional fall so far for him "completely different". "Positive things have started at the US Open and I have been able to continue until now," said Thiem.
"I hope to confirm my good form and that everything is possible, from a marginal and uneventful elimination to a win in the tournament, and that goes for all players."
What they would like to avoid is a repeat of 2016 and 2017. "I've always been in the second game, back against the wall, which I want to avoid, I really want to win the match tomorrow, but you can not plan this, also depends on the daily constitution of both of us. "
As an advantage for him, he sees a greater experience in the O2 arena, because Anderson is indeed with the beginner of 32 Masters. "I hope I can enjoy it." The good thing about Round Robin mode is, of course, that you still have every chance despite a defeat.
"It feels a little bad, but I immediately focused on the next game," said Thiem.
The goal is given: survive the group phase. "Reaching this for the first time is the big goal, but it would not be the end of the world if I did not, because I would have lost games against very powerful opponents, which would would not be as bitter as I leave early in Grand Slam. "
Text source: © LAOLA1 / APA
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