Meles
Bionic Poster
Thiem's time has come to make a run at a serious non-clay court major. Thiem has an excellent draw with Pella in his rear view mirror. Unlike Zverev, Thiem has had a fine off-season and is playing his best tennis yet at beginning of 2018 which will be essential for any run towards the first major of 2018. Improvements:
1. Thiem for end of 2017 Hard court season had horrid 2nd serve points won which was due to probably over-hitting off of returns due to a weaker 2nd serve. I've never seen a drop like that for a player especially when every other stat was up.
This largely mental fix will be a huge boost to his game and it looks fixed and then some based on Pella victory first round of Auz. Thiem's issue with serving out set and matches appears to be gone with a vengeance.
2. Thiem has a new quicker first serve motion with a lower toss. With it he's getting better disguise and precision while at the same time not over hitting too much on serve which he was definitely doing in 2017. Better first serving is huge for majors as it gets one through the draw more efficiently.
3. Thiem has a new big 2nd serve much like Peakovic under Becker, but in its infancy.
4. Thiem has been unleashing on 2nd return which is new in 2018 and it was working nicely in Doha
5. Thiem is stronger with more stamina (as expected)
So, Thiem is ready to play his best and if he doesn't get into a five set match on the way I'd say he has an outside shot of winning the Australian Open right now with Pella out of the way (Thiem 0-2 coming into match). With likely a serve-bot free path to the title. Here are Thiem's toughest challenges:
1. Goffin - Goffin likely has to beat Fed to get to Thiem. Thiem played Goffin close last year and looks to be the more improved player a year later, so Thiem has a good chance to prevail.
2. Del Potro - Delpo a little less of a force on low bouncing plexi-cushion and Thiem playing significantly better than their 2017 US Open encounter. Behind Kyrgios, perhaps the 2nd most feared player for Thiem.
3. Wawrinka - just back after knee surgery, game down while Thiem's is up.
4. Djokovic - still not hitting first serves with top velocity makes Djokovic very beatable for Thiem like RG
5. Federer - Thiem's had a good matchup with Federer and probably the more improved since their last matches. Federer has not quite been trouncing heavy hitters like Khachanov and Thiem is ball-basher incarnate, so a repeat of 2016 Brisbane match unlikely.
6. Dimitrov - Thiem not at his best at WTF and they went three as they did last year in Brisbane. Thiem's game higher level in 2018 while Dimi seems to be keeping around the same.
7. Kyrgios - if he shows in the final would probably be the worst opponent for Thiem
8. Nadal - a big hurdle for Thiem which would requite Thiem to get to the final without any 5 set matches. Auz Open lower bouncing and Thiem fared best on clay against Nadal in Rome.
SF or better quite possible for Thiem at 2018 Auz Open.
1. Thiem for end of 2017 Hard court season had horrid 2nd serve points won which was due to probably over-hitting off of returns due to a weaker 2nd serve. I've never seen a drop like that for a player especially when every other stat was up.
2. Thiem has a new quicker first serve motion with a lower toss. With it he's getting better disguise and precision while at the same time not over hitting too much on serve which he was definitely doing in 2017. Better first serving is huge for majors as it gets one through the draw more efficiently.
3. Thiem has a new big 2nd serve much like Peakovic under Becker, but in its infancy.
4. Thiem has been unleashing on 2nd return which is new in 2018 and it was working nicely in Doha
5. Thiem is stronger with more stamina (as expected)
So, Thiem is ready to play his best and if he doesn't get into a five set match on the way I'd say he has an outside shot of winning the Australian Open right now with Pella out of the way (Thiem 0-2 coming into match). With likely a serve-bot free path to the title. Here are Thiem's toughest challenges:
1. Goffin - Goffin likely has to beat Fed to get to Thiem. Thiem played Goffin close last year and looks to be the more improved player a year later, so Thiem has a good chance to prevail.
2. Del Potro - Delpo a little less of a force on low bouncing plexi-cushion and Thiem playing significantly better than their 2017 US Open encounter. Behind Kyrgios, perhaps the 2nd most feared player for Thiem.
3. Wawrinka - just back after knee surgery, game down while Thiem's is up.
4. Djokovic - still not hitting first serves with top velocity makes Djokovic very beatable for Thiem like RG
5. Federer - Thiem's had a good matchup with Federer and probably the more improved since their last matches. Federer has not quite been trouncing heavy hitters like Khachanov and Thiem is ball-basher incarnate, so a repeat of 2016 Brisbane match unlikely.
6. Dimitrov - Thiem not at his best at WTF and they went three as they did last year in Brisbane. Thiem's game higher level in 2018 while Dimi seems to be keeping around the same.
7. Kyrgios - if he shows in the final would probably be the worst opponent for Thiem
8. Nadal - a big hurdle for Thiem which would requite Thiem to get to the final without any 5 set matches. Auz Open lower bouncing and Thiem fared best on clay against Nadal in Rome.
SF or better quite possible for Thiem at 2018 Auz Open.
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