The Undiscovered Country: Zverev vs Thiem, SF 2016 BMW Open, Munich

[Meles]

The Undiscovered Country: "The Future" of clay court tennis on display in Munich.

Zverev statistically is better on clay than hard courts based on 2015 numbers. He's taken his improved game in 2016 back to clay and has proven a big threat with a relatively easy 3 set win over Goffin in the Munich QF. Zverev statistically has a very good first return on clay, but his best asset is his first serve with which he wins a lot of points while also serving a high percentage of firsts. Beautiful tennis off the ground from Zverev against Goffin with everything working except for a bit of a 2nd set lull. Probably Zverev's best match of his career.

Thiem is trying to win his fifth clay court title in less than one year and needs to win this tournament to keep moving up the rankings.

This should be a sensational match. They've never played before, but older brother Mischa disposed of Thiem nicely on the grass last year in Stuttgart. The Undiscovered Country:

 

[Meles]

Somehow Thiem wins this in 3 sets. Zverev is awfully consistent so any Thiem lulls will be costly.

 

[Meles]

So are we enemies now ?
Crush him Sasha

Haha. Thiem will make your baby cry! Responded in the match thread. Really looking forward to this one and glad Sascha derailed the Goffin move up the rankings! Thiem needs to win this tournament to move back ahead of Goffin and Monfils in the rankings and give himself a chance for top 8 seed at French. (Believe winning event would tie him with Gasquet at 12 in the rankings.)

The rallies in this one should be very interesting. Not sure Zverev can hit through Thiem, but he might. First return will be so important for both. The Mischa head to head favors Sascha!

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Anyone notice the (near) symmetry of the scorelines? This is verging on poetic.

Thiem v. Dodig: 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Zverev v. Goffin: 6-3, 4-6, 6-3

 

[Meles]

NEAR future (1-2 years tops) top 5 players, for sure!

Moved into match thread.

Thiem might make his move this year. If he's strong enough for a deep, deep run at Madrid or Rome (final) he should be able to snag an eighth seed for the French and likely boost his ranking further. He has little he can't defend the rest of the year.

Zverev's best surface is clay (grass might be fun!) Despite some nice hard court wins he's not top 20 material yet. Zverev too needs to make a big move up the rankings on clay and grass.

 

[Gytha]

First match of many?

I honestly don't know how to call this. Gut says Thiem in 3, but it won't be easy and if Zverev is serving well he's not without a chance to win it.

A win here pushes zvrv into top 40 and could well overtake Coric.

I'm excited either way!

 

[Kalin]

So that will be tomorrow?

 

[Meles]

So that will be tomorrow?

Yes. Semis tomorrow. They might start an hour later since only two matches.

 

[okdude1992]

What a tasty matchup. I voted for the "tennis wins" option.

On one hand Thiem needs the points if he wants that top 8 seeding at RG. And I see him as more of a contender right now.
On the other hand Zverev with the chance to win his first ATP title. And I think he has more long term potential than Theim.

It will be hard to cheer against Thiem, but I think I'm going for Zverev tomorrow

 

[SoBad]

The Undiscovered Country: "The Future" of clay court tennis on display in Munich.

Zverev statistically is better on clay than hard courts based on 2015 numbers. He's taken his improved game in 2016 back to clay and has proven a big threat with a relatively easy 3 set win over Goffin in the Munich QF. Zverev statistically has a very good first return on clay, but his best asset is his first serve with which he wins a lot of points while also serving a high percentage of firsts. Beautiful tennis off the ground from Zverev against Goffin with everything working except for a bit of a 2nd set lull. Probably Zverev's best match of his career.

Thiem is trying to win his fifth clay court title in less than one year and needs to win this tournament to keep moving up the rankings.

This should be a sensational match. They've never played before, but older brother Mischa disposed of Thiem nicely on the grass last year in Stuttgart. The Undiscovered Country:

Is Thiem in some sort of punk movement? Welcome to Germany... What time is this match?

 

[veroniquem]

Haha. Thiem will make your baby cry! Responded in the match thread. Really looking forward to this one and glad Sascha derailed the Goffin move up the rankings! Thiem needs to win this tournament to move back ahead of Goffin and Monfils in the rankings and give himself a chance for top 8 seed at French. (Believe winning event would tie him with Gasquet at 12 in the rankings.)

The rallies in this one should be very interesting. Not sure Zverev can hit through Thiem, but he might. First return will be so important for both. The Mischa head to head favors Sascha!

Zverev's stats are better so far! Thiem's serve is big though but Sasha is the better returner of the 2.
I hope baby has belief. He can do this, it will come down to confidence. Los geht's Sasha!!!

 

[sortof]

Zverev's best surface is clay (grass might be fun!)

Yes and no, Zverev is OKish on clay - but his game is not for grass. He is not that comfortable with flat shots and his are mostly awful.

 

[sortof]

Yes and no, Zverev is OKish on clay - but his game is not for grass. He is not that comfortable with flat shots and his volleys are mostly awful.

 

[Meles]

Is Thiem in some sort of punk movement? Welcome to Germany... What time is this match?

Just trying to keep up with the Agassi's and Zverev's of the world:

1:30 pm local time. So, sit back and enjoy some great German Zverev tennis and only drink German beer please.

 

[Meles]

Yes and no, Zverev is OKish on clay - but his game is not for grass. He is not that comfortable with flat shots and his are mostly awful.

Take your word on the grass, but that big serve should hunt on grass. I don't think Zverev would have had a prayer on hard courts against Goffin, so he looks to be a big time clay court player in my book (not quite Goffin's best surface). The most important tools are effective first serice game on clay (Zverev has this) and secondarily a good first service return game (another strong check mark for Zverev). All other appearances do not matter. I would say the clay makes it harder to hit the ball past Zverev. Thiem's may look more consistent and the better clay court game, but Zverev is an excellent grinder.

 

[Hyde]

both seem to be nice personalities off court.

 

[gogo]

What a tasty matchup. I voted for the "tennis wins" option.

On one hand Thiem needs the points if he wants that top 8 seeding at RG. And I see him as more of a contender right now.
On the other hand Zverev with the chance to win his first ATP title. And I think he has more long term potential than Theim.

It will be hard to cheer against Thiem, but I think I'm going for Zverev tomorrow

Exactly! Very tasty! This is finally a match-up I can get excited about. One minute I think, "well, of course Thiem will take it.", and then the next, "it's obvious Zverev will take the match!"

 

[West Coast Ace]

Somehow Thiem wins this in 3 sets. Zverev is awfully consistent so any Thiem lulls will be costly.

My vote also. Thiem will have the advantage with movement.

Should be a good one.

 

[Meles]

both seem to be nice personalities off court.

@veroniquem how's your German?

 

[Meles]

both seem to be nice personalities off court.

That is awesome and Thiem with personality. Just wish I knew what they were saying.

 

[LinePainter]

There's no chance I'll be up for this match, I work until midnight tonight. Can anyone record this for me?

 

[ForumMember]

First of many..I wud guess..

 

[sdont]

Commentator with thick German accent on tennistv.com. Lol

Players warming up.

 

[Meles]

Commentator with thick German accent on tennistv.com. Lol

Players warming up.

Austrian or German?

I think he'll be goosestepping along with @veroniquem . He definitely lost it a bit yesterday.

 

[Meles]

There's no chance I'll be up for this match, I work until midnight tonight. Can anyone record this for me?

A little beyond me. Might luckout and have German HD replay from previous source on this thread.

 

[Meles]

Zverev crushed return and framed into crowd by Thiem. 30 all

 

[veroniquem]

@veroniquem how's your German?

A work in progress

 

[yharzu]

http://www.br.de/mediathek/video/event-livestream/1-eventlivestream-154.html

for the non tennistv ppl

 

[Meles]

Big Z serves his way out of troulbe at Deuce with ace and service winner.

 

[Gytha]

Some nice returning from Zverev so far

 

[Gytha]

http://www.br.de/mediathek/video/event-livestream/1-eventlivestream-154.html

for the non tennistv ppl

you are doing the lord's work!

 

[Meles]

Thiem survives some poor serving and has 30 all.

 

[Gytha]

er, that smash lol

 

[Gytha]

DAMN Sascha return on fire! Break!

 

[yharzu]

you are doing the lord's work!

haha, you are welcome


break for zverev!!

 

[Meles]

http://www.br.de/mediathek/video/event-livestream/1-eventlivestream-154.html

for the non tennistv ppl

Zverev crushes backhand winner return for the break. Thiem saved earlier break op with big super kicker first. Too many 2nd serves in that game and Thiem ultimately pays the price (one DF.) Zverev serving 2-1.

 

[veroniquem]

Come on Sasha!!! Let's do this!

 

[Meles]

http://www.br.de/mediathek/video/event-livestream/1-eventlivestream-154.html

for the non tennistv ppl

If you follow this link later @LinePainter should have replay.

 

[Meles]

Z should not come to net against Thiem and the heavy spin (not regularly).

 

[sdont]

Excellent point from Thiem to get a BP.

 

[Meles]

Ugh. Zverev DFs break back to Thiem. Thiem worked him over in previous point and finsished with heavy forehand winner.

 

[sdont]

Ugh. Stream dead.

 

[Berasategui94]

Thiem playing too far back (again) and giving a lot of short balls to Zverev.

 

[beast of mallorca]

http://www.br.de/mediathek/video/event-livestream/1-eventlivestream-154.html

for the non tennistv ppl

You are Heaven sent, Mate......

 

[Meles]

you are doing the lord's work!

Haha. Yes @yharzu tennis tv just had pink screen of death and now I'm listening to your feed too! Been going on for minutes now.

 

[yharzu]

now all of you have to listen to the beautiful german language

 

[sdont]

Haha. Yes @yharzu tennis tv just had pink screen of death and now I'm listening to your feed too! Been going on for minutes now.

Deutsche qualität.

 

[Meles]

Come on Sasha!!! Let's do this!

 

[Meles]

Both players serving poorly so far. Thiem survives another DF in the last game and 15-40 hold.

 

[sdont]

Zverev could be a dangerous floater at RG.

Anyone know his schedule for the next 2 weeks?