Dominic Thiem saved two match points to overcome Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-4 in the semifinals of the Mercedes Cup on Saturday afternoon. Thiem survived a rain-interrupted, roller-coaster showdown to book his place alongside doubles partner Philipp Kohlschreiber in Sunday’s championship.
A single service break was enough for Federer in the opening set, but things became far less straightforward in a hurry. Thiem squandered all of a 5-0 lead in the second and eventually found himself down a match point twice in the ensuing tiebreaker. The 22-year-old saved one when Federer netted a backhand volley and fought off another with a winning backhand return.
Like in the first set, the decider came down to just one break. This time it went to Thiem, who struck at 3-3 when Federer mis-hit a forehand volley into the tape. Rain temporarily prevented the world No. 7 from reaching the finish line, but he eventually came back out and delivered two routine service holds to clinch victory after one hour and 57 minutes.
“To beat the greatest ever on maybe his best surface, you need a lot of luck,” Thiem said of the seven-time Wimbledon champion. “I cannot believe it really; what a feeling, especially on grass…. I was so nervous–obviously at 5-0 in the second set. I was fortunate in the tiebreaker, but you need good luck to beat the best player on grass.”
The third seed is now tied with Novak Djokovic for the top spot in match wins this season, with 44. He is 44-11, while Djokovic is 44-3.
Kohlschreiber, who was Thiem’s doubles partner in Stuttgart and will be the same next week in Halle, awaits on Sunday. The seventh-seeded German ended Juan Martin Del Potro’s run 6-3, 6-4 in another rain-delayed contest that concluded shortly before darkness.
Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lV81LkCBTo
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Allez youth! Thiem has the old man’s number. Thiem is now my favorite player hands down. He is the future of tennis. Next year he wins a Grand Slam.
Bold call. I think he will win multiple, but not sure it starts in 2017. I’m thinking 18 or 19.
Glorious win for Domi. He might get a GS as soon as next year, filter! He’s my favorite (at the moment) too. Thiem over Kohlschreiber in the Stuttgart final, please: in 2, is my hope. Voted 3.
And I love watching Federer on grass. Sorry to Benny G., fedfan, and the Federer fans/supporters here or reading this – it has to be hard to see him lose when he would usually breeze through to win Stuttgart. Let’s see how he does v Struff first round in Halle. Any draw looks tough for him the way it’s been going this year, imo. I think I picked Goffin to beat him in the Halle QF earlier today. That’s maybe putting him out too soon. Also picked Dreddy to beat Berdych 😀 …and a Fritz v Sascha final. I wasn’t picking in a serious mood.
Indeed hes a stunning player to watch, and when you save match points against two of the greatest players ever, then the guy must be mentally a tough nut to crack too, and i agree on the GS winning meterial bit ….
I think so ?
Five years ago, many believed that Raonic was the new Sampras who was going to dominate tennis. I remember being the lone voice on Tennistalk disagreeing with that view. So far, Raonic has not delivered. Whilst Thiem is a talented player and certainly one of the best newcomers atm, I am still not convinced that he is in the league of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic at that age.
Age-wise yes but things are changing. Players are maturing later and playing longer as well. There are no Boris Becker-types who can win Wimbledon at 17 anymore.
In 2011, I watched Milos Raonic at Indian Wells and yes I got excited and thought he was looking like a multiple GS winner and future #1, I’ll admit. He may still win a GS – perhaps Milos gets better at injury management and prevention, too. About Thiem you might be right as well, Nadline. But the kind of year he’s having and the confidence he’s built has me cheering. My biggest concern about him right now is that an injury is in the making. No one is THAT country strong! And faith isn’t one of my strong suits to say the least, I have to trust he/they know what they are doing and are putting his best interest first.
Fed may have lost, but he looked good……might make it to semis at Wdon…I hope so…I’ll be there!!!
First, I was someone who did not buy the hype about Raonic being the next Sampras. I was posting on tennis talk back then and remember the discussion. So there was no lone voice. I thought people were jumping the gun with all that talk about Raonic. I tend to be cautious and skeptical when a promising young gun comes along.
Sampras was such a great champion in a class by himself. It was too soon to crown someone the new Sampras,
I do think that Thiem is the real deal, but definitely not in the same class as Fed, Rafa, Murray or Novak. Not at that level yet, but the potential is there.