Indian Wells 2017 4th round: [8]Dominic Thiem vs [10] Gael Monfils

[Meles]

Both players are in breathtaking form at IW. This match also is very likely to not start on time so for Euro based watchers it may come on at 5 am UK time, but could easily be later. They really have the main court overscheduled so I'd guess this starts at 6 am UK time. This should be an absolutely stunning match to watch.

Coming into this event I was crowing that Thiem had avoided drawing Federer, Dimitrov, or Goffin in this round. Goffin is a Thiem matchup problem to say the least. Monfils however has never beaten Thiem:
45/2016 RR A ATP World Tour Finals I Hard Dominic Thiem Gael Monfils 6-3 1-6 6-4
32/2016 R16 Cincinnati Masters Hard Dominic Thiem Gael Monfils WO
30/2015 SF Umag Clay Dominic Thiem Gael Monfils 1-6 6-3 6-1 2.70 - 1.42

The WTF encounter was forgettable last year as Thiem was rebounding off some awful play at the end of 2016 and Monfils actually retired from the event after the match.

My gut says Thiem will find a way to break Monfils a bit and will also be able to hit through him some, but is more likely to trying pushing with Monfils to make this match as physically brutal as possible. The problem in all this is Monfils has been resplendent in his last match and a half, making a mockery of Isner. He may just plain blow Thiem's doors off with great offense.

 

[smoledman]

My money is on Thieminator.

 

[Meles]

This match is the cherry on top of the Sundae of today's action.

 

[H_Richardson]

Either a match which will be a 3 set thriller to crown play for the day or it will be a 2 set blowout. Depends on who shows up.

 

[Meles]

@Poisoned Slice , @TheGhostOfAgassi , @NextGeneration , @Fastpace Ace , @amorys90 , @Red Rick , @Gary Duane , @Djokovic2011 , @MichaelNadal , @Rozroz , @Fedinkum , @SpinToWin , @yharzu , @LinePainter , @mellowyellow , @coolschreiber , @Lord Anomander , @Kalin , @vive le beau jeu ! , @Wynter , @SQA333 , @Flint, @boramiNYC , @VexlanderPrime , @okdude1992 and many more.

Calling out the Thieminator shock troops for another great match. Not to be missed. Match could easily start as late as 10 pm local time.

 

[amorys90]

@Poisoned Slice , @TheGhostOfAgassi , @NextGeneration , @Fastpace Ace , @amorys90 , @Red Rick , @Gary Duane , @Djokovic2011 , @MichaelNadal , @Rozroz , @Fedinkum , @SpinToWin , @yharzu , @LinePainter , @mellowyellow , @coolschreiber , @Lord Anomander , @Kalin , @vive le beau jeu ! , @Wynter , @SQA333 , @Flint, @boramiNYC , @VexlanderPrime , @okdude1992 and many more.

Calling out the Thieminator shock troops for another great match. Not to be missed. Match could easily start as late as 10 pm local time.

Thiemi-nation is ready!

 

[Red Rick]

@Poisoned Slice , @TheGhostOfAgassi , @NextGeneration , @Fastpace Ace , @amorys90 , @Red Rick , @Gary Duane , @Djokovic2011 , @MichaelNadal , @Rozroz , @Fedinkum , @SpinToWin , @yharzu , @LinePainter , @mellowyellow , @coolschreiber , @Lord Anomander , @Kalin , @vive le beau jeu ! , @Wynter , @SQA333 , @Flint, @boramiNYC , @VexlanderPrime , @okdude1992 and many more.

Calling out the Thieminator shock troops for another great match. Not to be missed. Match could easily start as late as 10 pm local time.

 

[Krish872007]

GURU Army reporting for duty!

Anyone else on board?

 

[Meles]

GURU Army reporting for duty!

Anyone else on board?

This will be an awesome match. Things are looking on schedule as Djoko Kyrgios are on at advertised time. This could start as early as 430 am UK time. Need that womens match to go on forever for the Euro early birds.

Must see Guru TV as Gael has played some of his best tennis ever in this tournament.

 

[Krish872007]

This will be an awesome match. Things are looking on schedule as Djoko Kyrgios are on at advertised time. This could start as early as 430 am UK time. Need that womens match to go on forever for the Euro early birds.

Must see Guru TV as Gael has played some of his best tennis ever in this tournament.

4:30? A tad early
I'm super hyped for this one - gotta be a 3 setter surely. Thieminator clicking. Gurufils in masterly form in the Isner match. Winner could potentially make the Final.

 

[amorys90]

Thiem in two sets... won't even be close.

 

[Lord Anomander]

@Poisoned Slice , @TheGhostOfAgassi , @NextGeneration , @Fastpace Ace , @amorys90 , @Red Rick , @Gary Duane , @Djokovic2011 , @MichaelNadal , @Rozroz , @Fedinkum , @SpinToWin , @yharzu , @LinePainter , @mellowyellow , @coolschreiber , @Lord Anomander , @Kalin , @vive le beau jeu ! , @Wynter , @SQA333 , @Flint, @boramiNYC , @VexlanderPrime , @okdude1992 and many more.

Calling out the Thieminator shock troops for another great match. Not to be missed. Match could easily start as late as 10 pm local time.

It's at 4.30 am here. Ugh, hopefully I can catch the end of the match. Thiem in 3 anyways - with or without me.

I want to be student again. So much time to watch tennis and not worrying about getting up early

 

[Meles]

4:30? A tad early
I'm super hyped for this one - gotta be a 3 setter surely. Thieminator clicking. Gurufils in masterly form in the Isner match. Winner could potentially make the Final.

As I type Pliskova is attempting to lose in 3 sets... she managed to get in TB after leading 5-2 in the 2nd. Muguruza has the mini break to 2-1, so good chance of post 6 a.m. start.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

@Poisoned Slice is here.

 

[fundrazer]

Even finishing in straights now...think Karolina choked too much for me to be able to watch Thiem. Tired...

 

[SanJoseState1975]

I am exhausted after watching all the Tennis today, but looking forward to this match !!!

Gael looked great last match, so I will go with him.

 

[chjtennis]

Thiem in 3 to set up a clash with his father.

 

[marc45]

well, I guess we need a new Nadal...he probably can't do this anymore either

 

[marc45]

I think that's going to give me nightmares tonight ^

 

[Raindogs]

Here's hoping that this proves to be an absolute cracker of a match.

If LeMonf's serve is on par I believe that he could well give Die Dominic Thiem Methode trouble.

 

[Djokovic2011]

So aggressive from Dominic.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Slapper.

How rude.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Haha, we need a clown for this circus.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Guruiffic.

 

[FireRab2it]

Wish I had Thiem's kick serves

 

[Carsomyr]

thiem69flatballs has logged on

 

[Carsomyr]

ClownShoesFeelinFroggy has logged off

 

[marc45]

Thiem time

 

[Kalin]

Stream impossible to watch but looks like Die Thieminator is beating Le Clown comprehensively so far, no?

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Stream impossible to watch but looks like Die Thieminator is beating Le Clown comprehensively so far, no?

Yeah, pretty much.

Doing a bit of toying with him now.

 

[Kalin]

Yeah, pretty much.

Doing a bit of toying with him now.

A straight-set mauling with the losing side vulturing all of 5 games seems to be the mandated score for the day. This Tommy Haas...

 

[The Green Mile]

Thanks Thiem, you were the last win for my multi.

 

[boramiNYC]

Thiem in two sets... won't even be close.

This turned out to be right on. Too bad Monfils was in full clown suit today. I debated going to see Thiem tonight but glad I stayed home. What a wash.

 

[ArcspacE]

Young Thiem the GOATerer?

Well played, @Meles

 

[Meles]

Thiem delivered a comprehensive beating of Monfils. At first Gael tried to grind with Thiem, but was unable to gain the upper hand. Then he tried some clownery including a no look groundstroke on a ball that was nearly out (sneaky and won the point a few shots later.) Whatever he tried from drop shots to serve and volley worked for a time or two and then Thiem was on to it. Monfils has served better and was not hitting the corners well which is how you manhandle Thiem on serve, instead Monfils ended up winning a paltry 62% of first serve points and ended up getting broken 3 times in the match and it easily could have been more as Thiem squandered one game. Thiem saved the two break points pretty easily. The Thiem serve on the ad side was particularly devestating with a few superkicker aces and often the Monfils return cross court got the Thiem down the line treatment which sometimes Monfils could get to, but usually lost on the next shot. Thiem was working the ace or near ace down the T against the serve well. The great surprise in the match was the Thiem forehand which was very heavy and controlled; his best outing on forehand since bruising Ferrer with it at Rio over a year ago. Thiem has played himself into excellent form and should be in great shape for Wawrinka tomorrow who had an absolutely brutal match with Nishioka.

 

[Meles]

Young Thiem the GOATerer?

Well played, @Meles

I like his chances with Goffin gone. Wawrinka got a full grinding workout from Nishioka, so he may be off his game enough for Thiem to score another easy win tomorrow. Thiem taking a liking to slow high bouncing hard courts. Sadly my prediction of Thiem over Baby Fed in the final won't happen, but maybe Grandpa Fed will be on the plate.

 

[boramiNYC]

Thiem's fh seems to be gaining back the potency he had before. His game seems to be going through quite a bit of transition lately. My observation from today. He was trying to hit more flat serves (one today near 140), which I liked. I knew he could hit bombs but he mainly focused on spin serves last year or so. And now he can hit one of the best kicker in the whole field. But, he needs to be able to hit spots better with his first serves. He was trying to hit T from ad side many times and finally got once in the end, which set him up the match point. Good to see him trying things. His fh control was much better today. But his bh has lost some zip esp DTL. He's using more slice and I don't mind that cuz he has great slice. Variety is good. But, he needs his lethal bh DTL back, which he used to do so very consistently. Also, I saw him catching a few bh on the rise and redirect just like current Fed style. I really like that and hope he uses it more to be aggressive instead staying all the way back and blast on and on and waste energy. His returns were good. All in all very happy with what's happening to his game. Also, i like the more natural look instead of cleancut highschool style. Tomorrow's gonna be a cracker. If his fh clicks, Kyrgios will have hard time trying to retrieve back and forth. Hopefully he doesn't use too much slice and let Kyrgios take over the points. Can't wait!

 

[Kalin]

Thiem's fh seems to be gaining back the potency he had before. His game seems to be going through quite a bit of transition lately. My observation from today. He was trying to hit more flat serves (one today near 140), which I liked. I knew he could hit bombs but he mainly focused on spin serves last year or so. And now he can hit one of the best kicker in the whole field. But, he needs to be able to hit spots better with his first serves. He was trying to hit T from ad side many times and finally got once in the end, which set him up the match point. Good to see him trying things. His fh control was much better today. But his bh has lost some zip esp DTL. He's using more slice and I don't mind that cuz he has great slice. Variety is good. But, he needs his lethal bh DTL back, which he used to do so very consistently. Also, I saw him catching a few bh on the rise and redirect just like current Fed style. I really like that and hope he uses it more to be aggressive instead staying all the way back and blast on and on and waste energy. His returns were good. All in all very happy with what's happening to his game. Also, i like the more natural look instead of cleancut highschool style. Tomorrow's gonna be a cracker. If his fh clicks, Kyrgios will have hard time trying to retrieve back and forth. Hopefully he doesn't use too much slice and let Kyrgios take over the points. Can't wait!

He-he, great analysis but you kinda conflated Thiem and Roger in the end; a Freudian slip? It's Roger who's playing Kyrgios tomorrow.

 

[amorys90]

Thiem in two sets... won't even be close.

Wow, nice call!

 

[Meles]

4:30? A tad early
I'm super hyped for this one - gotta be a 3 setter surely. Thieminator clicking. Gurufils in masterly form in the Isner match. Winner could potentially make the Final.

To appreciate Thiem, you have to appreciate Monfils form coming into this match:

Isner schooled. Guru highlight reel all in one match (sadly Guru's masterful body language largely cut, and Manny's accolades absent.)

What happens to rude Guru pupils like Thiem?

A quiz for Guru disciples:

 

[bjsnider]

Unhappily for him, this was a vintage performance by Monfils.

 

[bezs]

4:05 never change Gael, never change.

 

[RF-18]

I hope the best for him. Really talented and exciting player. Would fit nice if he could get a big title under his belt and build on that. I think that would help him start being competitive at the top consistently.

But he has some rough players in his way. Good luck.

 

[boramiNYC]

He-he, great analysis but you kinda conflated Thiem and Roger in the end; a Freudian slip? It's Roger who's playing Kyrgios tomorrow.

Haha, my bad. Yeah wawrinka would be a pretty good match too.

 

[mike danny]

As usual, Monfils is garbage against top 10 players.

 

[Meles]

As usual, Monfils is garbage against top 10 players.

He really tried against Thiem and was quite frustrated that he could not find a game plan that worked. We all talk about Monfils speed and agility and he handled the Isner first so well. Spinnier shots that might require other quick adjustments seem to trouble the Guru. I seriouslly doubt he'll ever beat Thiem.