Pre-match and in match discussion can go here and it would be nice to sticky this thread.
My take:
This match-up has little history, mostly due to the youth of 22 year old Dominic Thiem. Novak has won twice in straight sets on hard courts in the Miami and Shanghai Masters. But this is the biggest Clay event on tour.
So this leads to many questions:
Will Novak Djokovic feel the pressure of finally winning at Roland Garros, knowing who might await him in the final? Or will he overwhelm the youngster on the biggest clay stage in tennis?
Will Dominic Thiem prove he is the best of the young players, at least on clay, and manage to beat the #1 player in the world, or will he crumble like so many of his fellow youngsters have?
Dominic appears unafraid and hits a heavy hard ball, much like Stan.. Will this give Dom an advantage in this match, or will Novak be up to the task and get most everything back with interest and frustrate the lad?
Will Novak be able to calm himself? Lately he has been quick to anger, both in Rome and Paris, the latest incident coming close to causing himself to be defaulted if his frustrated flinging of his racquet had injured the linesman who adroitly averted a Head titanium thrashing. Will he be in control of himself if the match begins to go badly?
Symbolic for Thiem and a new generation?
Finally, who will win this battle of players trying for their first Roland Garros Title? Novak has had many chances but come up short. Thiem is in his first major semifinal. I say fortune favors the brave. Good luck and a good match to both players.
Respectfully,
masterclass
My take:
This match-up has little history, mostly due to the youth of 22 year old Dominic Thiem. Novak has won twice in straight sets on hard courts in the Miami and Shanghai Masters. But this is the biggest Clay event on tour.
So this leads to many questions:
Will Novak Djokovic feel the pressure of finally winning at Roland Garros, knowing who might await him in the final? Or will he overwhelm the youngster on the biggest clay stage in tennis?
Will Dominic Thiem prove he is the best of the young players, at least on clay, and manage to beat the #1 player in the world, or will he crumble like so many of his fellow youngsters have?
Dominic appears unafraid and hits a heavy hard ball, much like Stan.. Will this give Dom an advantage in this match, or will Novak be up to the task and get most everything back with interest and frustrate the lad?
Will Novak be able to calm himself? Lately he has been quick to anger, both in Rome and Paris, the latest incident coming close to causing himself to be defaulted if his frustrated flinging of his racquet had injured the linesman who adroitly averted a Head titanium thrashing. Will he be in control of himself if the match begins to go badly?
Symbolic for Thiem and a new generation?
Finally, who will win this battle of players trying for their first Roland Garros Title? Novak has had many chances but come up short. Thiem is in his first major semifinal. I say fortune favors the brave. Good luck and a good match to both players.
Respectfully,
masterclass
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