DREAM THIEM: 20-YEAR-OLD AUSTRIAN READY FOR SHOT ON THE BIG STAGE VS. NADAL BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 26th May 2014

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

DREAM THIEM: 20-YEAR-OLD AUSTRIAN READY FOR SHOT ON THE BIG STAGE VS. NADAL BY RICKY DIMON

epa04226952 Dominic Thiem of Austria in action during his first round match against Paul-Henri Mathieu of France at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France,26 May 2014. EPA/YOAN VALAT |

Just about halfway through the season, Dominic Thiem has pretty much already locked up ATP Newcomer of the Year honors. The 20-year-old Austrian started the 2014 campaign at No. 139 in the world and he is already up to 57th. He has more than doubled his ATP-level win total, with six match victories going into the season and already 11 this year.

Thiem’s most recent win came on Monday via a 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-2 decision against Paul-Henri Mathieu in the French Open first round.

“6:4, 7:6, 6:2 against Paul-Henri Mathieu,” Thiem posted on Facebook (translated to English). “Very proud and happy. The match was much tougher than the result suggests. Not only because Mathieu can play really well especially with his forehand, but also because the french audience is a great home crowd and that is a real factor. And the linesmen sometimes were too. But I played a really solid match and earned to win today.”

The win also earned Thiem a second-round date with none other than world No. 1 and eight-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal. As if Thiem has not yet made a sufficient name for himself, he will certainly get a chance to enhance his stature on Thursday. It’s a match that is almost certain to be staged on Court Philippe Chatrier after Nadal was relegated to Suzanne Lenglen for his opener against Robby Ginepri on Monday.

“From now on everything is focusing and looking forward to playing against Rafa Nadal,” Thiem continued on Facebook. “Being allowed to play against him in Paris is a mega honor for a young player like me. Nadal ist the best player who ever played here in Roland Garros. So I will give my best in each single rally and look what happens. And what ever will happen, I am sure I will learn very, very much.”

Nadal may learn a thing or two about his opponent, as well. The Spaniard has never faced Thiem and has not yet seen the youngster play.

“I heard very, very good things about him,” said Nadal. “I didn’t see him play, but I know he’s a young player and he’s a very dangerous opponent.”

Some other players would agree, even to the extent that they think Thiem might have a chance to win.

Fellow Austrian Jurgen Melzer posted the following on Twitter: “Impressive performance by @ThiemDomi today… I think he has shot against rafa… 35:65 are my odds…what do you think??”

Said good friend Ernests Gulbis, who shares coach Gunther Bresnik with Thiem, when asked if Thiem has a shot against Nadal: “Honestly, I think so. The way he hits the ball now, he hits the ball really good. I warmed up with him this morning. He’s been hitting the ball really good for the last month; we’ve been practicing.”

Topics: Atp, Dominic Thiem, Ernests Gulbis, French Open, Paris, Paul Henri Mathieu, Rafael Nadal, Ricky Dimon, Roland Garros, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

May 26, 2014 at 11:00 pm

DREAM THIEM: 20-YEAR-OLD AUSTRIAN READY FOR SHOT ON THE BIG STAGE VS. NADAL BY RICKY DIMON @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/pVmYwLj4NI @ThiemDomi
RD_Tennistalk says:

May 26, 2014 at 11:02 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: DREAM THIEM: 20-YEAR-OLD AUSTRIAN READY FOR SHOT ON THE BIG STAGE VS. NADAL BY RICKY DIMON @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/pV…