It may be the “other” semifinal on Friday, but no one should be surprised if Novak Djokovic vs. Dominic Thiem turns out to be the better of the two matches–in terms of both quality and competitiveness.
Neither one of their first two French Open matches lived up to the hype, but it was not only Djokovic who engineered a beatdown. After the Serb cruised 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in the 2016 semifinals, Thiem returned the favor one year later by dominating 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-0 in the quarters.
Overall, Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 6-2–including 3-2 on clay. They just faced each other last month in Madrid, where the world No. 1 prevailed 7-6(2), 7-6(4) on his eventual way to the title. Thiem’s other victory came at the 2018 Monte-Carlo Masters via a 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-3 decision.
Although Thiem looked vulnerable earlier this fortnight, he is now looking like a future (and maybe even present, come Sunday afternoon) champion at Roland Garros that many in the tennis world tip him to become. After scraping past Tommy Paul, Alexander Bublik, and Pablo Cuevas all in four tough sets, the fourth-ranked Austrian destroyed both Gael Monfils and Karen Khachanov without losing more than four games in any set.
“I think every match [I’ve gotten] better and better,” Thiem assessed. “(The) first two opponents were very tough because they also didn’t give (me) any rhythm and they didn’t have anything to lose. So these were two very tough matches. From the third round on, it got a lot better.”
Djokovic is perfect through five rounds, having made routine work of Hubert Hurkacz, Henri Laaksonen, Salvatore Caruso, Jan-Lennard Struff, and Alexander Zverev. The top seed and 2016 French Open winner is 13-1 in his last 14 clay-court matches, with a loss only to Rafael Nadal in the Rome final.
Thus the stage is set for a blockbuster semifinal lineup, which also includes Nadal vs. Roger Federer. Thiem may be the outsider among the four in terms of major title-winning experience, but it’s obvious from both past French Open success and current form that he is the only other player who truly belongs on semifinal Friday.
“Dominic is deservedly where he is–one of the top four guys, especially on clay,” Djokovic explained. “That’s where he’s playing his best tennis. He’s got that tremendous power in his game, especially with forehand and serve. I think (his) backhand also has improved a lot in the last couple of years.
“(It) seems like his relationship with (new coach Nicolas) Massu has helped him a lot…also mentally, I think, in big matches; seems like it has been working really well. If he continues playing this way, not just on clay but in general, I think we will probably be seeing him more often on different surfaces in the final stages of the tournament.”
Will we see Thiem in the final? We did last year, and he has been no less impressive on the slow stuff in 2019. His recent exploits are highlighted by a title in Barcelona, where he defeated Nadal 6-4, 6-4 in the semis.
Beating Djokovic at Roland Garros may be even more difficult, but it is a feat Thiem has already accomplished once. And as well as the 15-time slam winner is playing right now, he still does not appear to be at his Australian Open best.
Pick: Thiem in 5
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Djokovic wanted to hold all 4 majors for the 2nd time. He’s not a happy boy right now.
4-1 adv Thiem in the fifth. Come on Thiem, hold on to the adv and finishes the job!
Lucky, Theim is more dangerous for Nadal than this Djoker. Theim looks really solid and powerful when his game is on.
Doesn’t matter, Rafa is too good with his court craft to deal with Thiem. I just don’t like the hype about Djoko and his second non calendar slams. Also, I want to see Rafa moves well ahead in the race, with a chance for the no.1 ranking later on in the season and to finish as YE no.1 for the fifth time to at least tie with Fed and Djoko. To me, he’s too good not to do that.
Lucky, I agree to 1000%, lol!
I fully agree. Novak just does not have much clay court weapons.
Not in a slam final he isn’t
Djokovic is the best grinder in the game. It’s a weapon and he’s not using it.
He couldn’t wait to get off the court just then.
Djokovic’s game is effective when the elements are calm because playing defensively in gusts of wind is not productive.
That’s true
Nole 26-57 at net! Just asks to get passed!
making some bonehead decisions
Rain delay! Thiem could have won this match already, if not for all those chances that he failed to take.
I hope Thiem can sustain the momentum to win the match.
Uhmmmmmm, lets c
he was in the middle of BP for 5-1 when it started raining
So, is the final on Sunday or Monday now, when this SF goes the distance?
How’s the weather on Sunday and Monday?
It would be definitely on Sunday with all TV formalities. Moreover Sunday forecast is good, Monday is far worse.
Sunday for sure
I’m for Theim. If Rafa can’t win RG I prefer Theim winning it to Djoker.
I am with you.
Why can’t Rafa win?
Someone said Thiem would be a more difficult opponent to Rafa, based on that assumption, if Rafa had to lose, I’d rather he lose to Thiem.
Djokovic’s problem is this. When he’s facing possible defeat he doesn’t play to his full potential. He goes into his shell.
He did this when he lost to Wawrinka and Theim at RG. He needs to just redline and play his best regardless of whether he might lose or not.
That didn’t happen in the Wimbledon semis!
I find Novak’s play as a 15 time GS champion astonishing. He probably lost the fourth set because of his mad serve volley tactics when he looks totally lost at net. Suicidal tactics going up there in return as well and just asking to be passed.
But he won the fourth set!
He does go into his shell when he thinks hes losing, unlike Rafa
Exactly, Rafa on clay plays like he’s trying to beat the best every time. He’s been doing since day one.
At the AO he went into his shell but he rarely does it.
Rafa just did not show up on that day! Smh!
Rafa said he wasn’t physically up to a long gruelling match coming back from 5 months injury time out, playing someone like Djokovic. He actually said in one Spanish interview that it was better for him to lose in straight sets.
And that makes perfect sense!
Djokovic hasn’t been at his best since Australia. It’s been obvious even during clay despite marginal improvement over Indian Wells and Miami.
I think you are right
Djokovic has said himself that his game is all about defending the baseline, which he does very well. He can’t play at the net and he has one of the worst overheads on tour. This is why conditions have to be perfect for him to be in control of a match.
It’s fear of losing that’s winning the battle against Djokovic right now.
If Theim was number one and the 15 time grand slam winner I wonder if Djokovic would be playing the same brand of tennis.
I don’t think it’s much the fear of losing as much as it’s the idea of not having opportunity to go for the Novak slam what is inhibiting him so much. His endless desire to be greater than Roger and Rafa is what it is!!
Hahaha!
Doubt it
Thank you Ricky for agreeing with me about Novak’s utterly bizarre desire to run to net and get passed! He must know it is costing him yet he persists I think because of his anxiety about the wind.
26-57!!
amy JUNE 8, 2019 AT 12:35 PM
I find Novak’s play as a 15 time GS champion astonishing. He probably lost the fourth set because of his mad serve volley tactics when he looks totally lost at net. Suicidal tactics going up there in return as well and just asking to be passed.
Yet, one commentator after another bleating that Djokovic has no weaknesses.
They are showing us Fedal during the rain break. Way better tennis with some miracle shots!
I hope Thiem is mentally strong enough to keep his service games, as I know Novak will attack from all weapons to break him back!
Novak is not afraid of losing. He is just irritated by the weather which drives him out of his comfort zone. However, he still will be very dangerous when back on the court so Thiem will have to be focused and not making stupid decisions otherwise he ends up losing…
the delays have HELPED Djoker, so he shouldn’t be irritated
All 3 delays couldn’t have happened at better times for Djokovic.
He came out slow after the last delay.
We’ll see!
Novak got his head together during the break. Theim’s game is not together. I think Novak wins from here.
Quite possibly! Novak was 27-61 at net at last count. He needs to just play his normal game not hand out free points!
Novak played awesome to get the break back. Theim not so much.
Thiem overplays every shot.
Why is it so difficult for Thiem to hold serve? He’s just not clutch enough! He’s standing so far back and after his serve, he’s being put into defensive position right away because Djoko just rushes forward to put pressure on Thiem.
Thiem is just camping at his BH too much that he’s so slow to cover his FH corner!
Why does Thiem keep giving the ball back to Djokovic?
I have asked that a 1000 times!!