Thiem's Time Has Come

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.:confused: 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.:cool:
 
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sdont

Legend
The way you dismiss that guy in your avatar is quite shocking to me. :eek:

Also, Thiem's refusal to take his lecture from the Guru is rather disturbing.
 

Meles

Bionic Poster
The way you dismiss that guy in your avatar is quite shocking to me. :eek:

Also, Thiem's refusal to take his lecture from the Guru is rather disturbing.
Manny is in fine form and no slouch, but..... he's only taken two sets from Thiem way back in 2015.:confused:
35/2017 R32 US Open Hard Dominic Thiem Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-3 6-4 1.33 - 3.20
32/2017 R16 Cincinnati Masters Hard Dominic Thiem Adrian Mannarino 7-6(4) 7-6(3) 1.36 - 3.00
9/2017 R16 Acapulco Hard Dominic Thiem Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-3 1.18 - 4.50
19/2016 SF Nice Clay Dominic Thiem Adrian Mannarino 6-1 6-3 1.10 - 6.60
45/2015 R64 Paris Masters I Hard Dominic Thiem Adrian Mannarino 6-2 5-7 6-2 1.59 - 2.30
13/2015 R16 Miami Masters Hard Dominic Thiem Adrian Mannarino 7-6(5) 4-6 7-5 2.44 - 1.65
 

Meles

Bionic Poster
@Meles

did you know that Thiem's hardcourt Elo is about 30th in the world? On level with a Mannarino.

Thiem's time will come between like April and early June.
I'm well aware and it would probably show in most draws, but he has the path and the matchups. Stick him with a big servebot and Thiem is on the ropes. For Thiem, the victory over Isner at Laver Cup took all he had. Thiem can handle Fed/Delpo first serving, but not big, big servers.

Thiem's peak hard court ELO ranking has been around 2100 and he's at a higher level right now, maybe even 2200. That is good enough for around 8. The only player that outclasses Thiem on ELO is Federer. If Thiem plays his way to SF without a five set match, I'll like his chances even then.

For now we're talking SF would be an accomplishment; Wawa, Djoko, and Zeddy aren't exactly lighting the world on fire right now.:rolleyes:
 

tennisaddict

Bionic Poster
Thiem is presented with an Ultimate clown draw - even Rafa’s draw looks like a draw from hell compared to that - so you can imagine what we are talking here
 

Slicerman

Professional
Final incoming
26240234_10156074201798615_907945194449515434_o.jpg
 
At some point, you would think the predictions would stop because they’re always wrong.

There will NEVER be a transition because it doesn’t count when the ones on top are 37, 32, and 31. That’s not even a transition—it’s just the old players being too old to play.
 

I Am Finnish

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.:confused: 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.:cool:
You did not mention Z :confused:
 
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.:confused: 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.:cool:
If only Thiem stops hard hitting BH/FH on every single shot and save his energy instead of wasting it. Built a point and then hit hard for a winner is the key for him
 
At some point, you would think the predictions would stop because they’re always wrong.

There will NEVER be a transition because it doesn’t count when the ones on top are 37, 32, and 31. That’s not even a transition—it’s just the old players being too old to play.

Of course 31 or 32 (by the way, Djokovic and Nadal are 30 and 31) is not too old to play a professional sport. There are players in pretty much every professional sport who are at the top of the game at that age. 37 is different, of course, and given that Federer turns 37 in little more than half a year, we probably should expect him to slow down pretty soon.
 
@Meles: Certainly a great opportunity for Thiem to make a hard-court major quarter-final, at the very least. On current form, he'd likely have a good chance against Zverev (although Zverev may get a lift if he beats Djokovic), but against Djokovic it would probably depend on how "back" Djokovic really is. Djokovic close to his best is probably too good for Thiem on hard courts. (Djokovic wasn't close to his best at RG and clay is different).
 

J011yroger

Talk Tennis Guru
Of course 31 or 32 (by the way, Djokovic and Nadal are 30 and 31) is not too old to play a professional sport. There are players in pretty much every professional sport who are at the top of the game at that age. 37 is different, of course, and given that Federer turns 37 in little more than half a year, we probably should expect him to slow down pretty soon.

That's what they said in 09.

J
 

Freddy Cat

Professional
Thiem's got the worst fist pump in ATP history -- does he actually not know how to fist pump, or is that perked up thumb like a signature?
 

WhiskeyEE

G.O.A.T.
I watched his match against Kudla and I wasn't impressed. He just doesn't have it off of clay. I don't think he will ever be a contender on HC or grass.
 
oh so now Federer is 37. why not just add a year onto everyone's age just to try and prove a point.

hey its august already, its Federer's burfdayy.

36.5 or 37...doesn’t matter. Who else in the modern game has ever been #2 and the defending champion and alight favorite tomwin thr title st 36.5? Trying to come up with a name? 36.5 or 37...might as well be 42 or 45. Nobody does this at this age.
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
Thiem will probably win a RG title eventually, once Rafa cannot walk without a large orderly holding him up under each arm.

Other than that he won't have any slams to his name.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
@Meles, Thiem's time will surely come but I'm not sure about this tournament. He ended last year in a slump and started this year off with a bad cold and had to withdraw from Doha. Even so, he's still in the tournament so let's see how far he can go. I have to say I got a good chuckle from the premature posts thinking Thiem would lose yesterday....Egg..on..face :D

gbgiYC1.gif
 

mike danny

Bionic Poster
@Meles, Thiem's time will surely come but I'm not sure about this tournament. He ended last year in a slump and started this year off with a bad cold and had to withdraw from Doha. Even so, he's still in the tournament so let's see how far he can go. I have to say I got a good chuckle from the premature posts thinking Thiem would lose yesterday....Egg..on..face :D

gbgiYC1.gif
It's just delaying the inevitable. Thiem will lose. It's just a matter of when.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
It's just delaying the inevitable. Thiem will lose. It's just a matter of when.

Well 127 out of 128 players in the draw will lose but Thiem will make a run in a hardcourt major soon. It should have been at the USO last year before he choked away the match to Del Potro.
 

mike danny

Bionic Poster
Well 127 out of 128 players in the draw will lose but Thiem will make a run in a hardcourt major soon. It should have been at the USO last year before he choked away the match to Del Potro.
Who is he playing in his next 2 matches?
 
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