Belgrade 1R: Thiem vs Millman (Thiem's comeback match)

[AnOctorokForDinner]

This will be Thiem's first ATP match in ten months after injuries befell him last year. He played one challenger match last month and lost disappointingly to Pedro Cachin, but it turned out he'd caught covid, testing positive on the following day. He should be able to do better now. Millman is a journeyman, but a decent test to start the comeback against a solid defender. Let's see how this match unfolds.

 

[yokied]

Millman is the last non-Fedalovic guy you want to see across the net in your first match back from injuries, imaginjuries, brainjuries and burgers.

 

[ArcspacE]

Thiem is finished

 

[junior74]

Thiem is finished

10+ slams in any other era

 

[ArcspacE]

10+ slams in any other era

In the same alternative universe where Dimitrov plays the new James Bond and Kyrgios is the face of Unicef

 

[Bubcay]

I just hope that Thiem does not become a resident of...

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

The match is underway, an easy hold for either player. Basic play thus far.

 

[junior74]

In the same alternative universe where Dimitrov plays the new James Bond and Kyrgios is the face of Unicef

TT is a wonderful universe, in which Djokovic is protector of Earth's citizens and Nadal is so humble he makes a banana seem 'difficult'

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Timmy playing way behind the baseline. Won't serve him well at this diminished level.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

The trademark BHDTL winner is found! Followed by a wild winner attempt miss, but of course.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Del Thiemtro is done.

 

[Forgive Me Father]

Domi's rust showing

not quite as back immediately as Coric/Bedene

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Uh oah, BP down after two poor misses. And another miss seals the game for the mailman.

 

[Forgive Me Father]

Crazy that Thiem himself said his goal is 2023, 3 months into the season... heh.

Maybe he meant clay.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Domi's rust showing

not quite as back immediately as Coric/Bedene

lol, did you see his first match? yes he pushed ADF because the latter had a bad day himself.

 

[Kralingen]

I would laugh at Thiem but I’m also pretty sure the same thing is going to happen to Djokovic vs Kecmanovic

 

[TheNachoMan]

I would laugh at Thiem but I’m also pretty sure the same thing is going to happen to Djokovic vs Kecmanovic

Novak rises to the occasion for the most important tournaments. He’ll be ready.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Novak rises to the occasion for the most important tournaments. He’ll be ready.

More like the occasion lowers itself for him, huehuehue.

 

[Forgive Me Father]

lol, did you see his first match? yes he pushed ADF because the latter had a bad day himself.

He was definitely much more match ready.

 

[Forgive Me Father]

More like the occasion lowers itself for him, huehuehue.

 

[Kralingen]

Grigor Dimitrov is going to have the best longevity of all of LostGen. By far actually. lololololol

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

He was definitely much more match ready.

Maybe Thiem's opponent is playing at a higher level?

 

[Forgive Me Father]

Domi unloads

 

[Forgive Me Father]

Maybe Thiem's opponent is playing at a higher level?

maybe, maybe not. But why are you ignoring the content of the topic?

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Another BHDTL rocket, well played.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

maybe, maybe not. But why are you ignoring the content of the topic?

What topic?

 

[Forgive Me Father]

Domi back? ;-)

 

[Forgive Me Father]

What topic?

You do the usual thing where you focus on everything but what is being talked about: who was more match ready.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

And another BHDTL to bring up a second BP. Thiem's FH is lacking offence today but his BH still has it.
A long rally on BP of pretty good quality ends with Millman overhitting a BHDTL of his own and we're back on surrve.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

You do the usual thing where you focus on everything but what is being talked about: who was more match ready.

What's the point of talking about something you cannot possibly determine?

 

[Forgive Me Father]

What's the point of talking about something you cannot possibly determine?

We can't determine who was better but we can determine which opponent was better?

You make as much sense as ever

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

We can't determine who was better but we can determine which opponent was better?

You make as much sense as ever

Does "match ready" equal better? If so, that's clearly Thiem so far, the last game was nice with three consecutive quality points to force the break back. Don't recall Fockin' A doing anything like that.

 

[Forgive Me Father]

Does "match ready" equal better? If so, that's clearly Thiem so far, the last game was nice with three consecutive quality points to force the break back. Don't recall Fockin' A doing anything like that.

I'm guessing you mean Coric?

Anyway, Thiem's rally BH still is a lot less "tuned in" than Coric's. He does have the higher highs, obviously.

But right now it still looks like Thiem will take longer to get back to his normal, than Coric will, because Coric pretty much did straight away (by the 2nd match).

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Tim outlasts Man BH to BH, that's a promising sign indeed.

 

[Beerus]

Thiem knows how huge Belgrade is. That's why he chose this tournament for his epic comeback.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

I'm guessing you mean Coric?

Anyway, Thiem's rally BH still is a lot less "tuned in" than Coric's. He does have the higher highs, obviously.

But right now it still looks like Thiem will take longer to get back to his normal, than Coric will, because Coric pretty much did straight away (by the 2nd match).

If Thiem can start winning BH to BH rallies like the last one consistently, he's already on a good track.

 

[Kralingen]

Meanwhile while you mugs are having another childish argument Millman has just broken Thiem back. Things are looking Sad indeed.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

I'm guessing you mean Coric?

Anyway, Thiem's rally BH still is a lot less "tuned in" than Coric's. He does have the higher highs, obviously.

But right now it still looks like Thiem will take longer to get back to his normal, than Coric will, because Coric pretty much did straight away (by the 2nd match).

It's his FH that's the real problem right now. Lost him the last two points. I don't think he's hit a single FH winner yet, nary even an error-forcer.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Good offensive tennis by run-of-the-millman, 30-0 up now...

 

[Beerus]

I want Thiem to win. Come on, stay in Belgrade longer.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Team back to overly defensive play. Millmug running him around.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Now Teem is the one running Miljohn ragged and he's 30-0 up on return, hmmmmmmm.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Forehand fails him and Millguy takes the set.

 

[Bubcay]

Milman just playing steady and calm for an opening set win. 6:3.

 

[Kralingen]

Thiem more unlucky than bad that set. 1/5 BP vs 2/2. Big hole for him to be in though. Sadness ensues.

 

[Beerus]

Welp. The HC specialist returning to professional tennis on clay.

 

[Bubcay]

Amazing BHDTL by Milman...

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Thiem more unlucky than bad that set. 1/5 BP vs 2/2. Big hole for him to be in though. Sadness ensues.

Unclutch rather than unlucky. Couldn't raise his game and avoid errors on pressure points, except that sweet little stretch when he broke back.

 

[Bubcay]

A few really nice points by Domi... Maybe there is a chance...

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Lovely half-volley pass here, great feel.