Updates: Thiem Leads Djokovic In Roland Garros Semi-final
Fourth seed Dominic Thiem was under fire from World No. 1 Novak Djokovic when play resumed in their Roland Garros semi-final on Saturday. But the Austrian star remained focused to take a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 lead, moving to within one set of his second final at the clay-court major and a rematch of last year's championship battle with 11-time champion Rafael Nadal.
Thiem returned to Court Philippe Chatrier with a 3-1 lead in the third set after rain suspended play Friday evening, but did not hold that lead long, dropping serve in his second service game after the resumption. But the World No. 4 remained calm, taking advantage of his fourth set point with a backhand return to the serve-and-volleying Djokovic's shoelaces.
Entering the match, Djokovic was the only player yet to lose a set at the clay-court Grand Slam. But the Serbian was bothered early Friday by the swirling wind — and with it, clay. While Thiem was solid, keeping his heavy groundstrokes safely in the court, the first set was moreso about Djokovic's mistakes. He made eight unforced errors in the opener — including two when facing break point — to just one winner to give his 25-year-old opponent the lead.
But after the stars were sent into cover for less than 10 minutes as Thiem served at 6-2, 2-3, 30/0, Djokovic settled down immediately. The Serbian greatly reduced his errors, forcing Thiem to either outgrind him or go for more. And Djokovic converted his first break point of the match at 4-3 when Thiem launched a low forehand approach shot long.
At the beginning of the third set, Thiem was no longer content to rally with Djokovic, instead going after his shots more to push the top seed back. That paid dividends at 2-1. After a massive gust of wind kept the Austrian from converting his first break chance of the game, Thiem did not let slip his next opportunity, dictating with his forehand to force an error to take the lead as the raindrops began to fall again.
But Djokovic was relentless when they returned Saturday, barely missing a shot and using great depth to keep Thiem back. The fourth seed saved two break points at 4-4, and just when it looked like Djokovic had all the momentum, Thiem turned things around to take a two-sets-to-one lead.
Djokovic leads the pair’s FedEx ATP Head2Head series 6-2, but Thiem has won two of their past three matches, including a straight-sets victory two years ago at Roland Garros. The top seed, who owns a 26-match winning streak at the majors, is just two victories from holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time for the second time.
Thiem is trying to reach his second consecutive Roland Garros final. Last year, he lost in straight sets against Nadal on his first attempt at a maiden major trophy.
Did You Know?
Djokovic has won 10 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals, going on to lift the trophy eight times.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour http://bit.ly/2ZfOm7b
No comments