Who would be an more difficult opponent for Novak in the AO 2020 final?
- Thread starter Enceladus
- Start date
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
In generally Thiem
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
I think at his best level Zverev might be more dangerous. Djokovic was absolutely GOATing during WTF 2018, he didn't drop his serve until the final and faced only 2 BPs. But in the final Zverev totally outplayed him, broke his serve 4 times. Also, Zverev has won more big tournaments than Thiem and plays better in finals in general. However, he is very inconsistent and when things don't go well for him he might play VERY bad. Thiem is the more consistent player between the two.
K-H
Hall of Fame
I think the court is not fast enough for Zverev to play a similar sort of match against Novak like he did at WTF 18.
Zverev serve was on fire that day. Wont be the same case this time. Plus with Zverev, if things are not going his way (which will happen at some during the match), hes more likely to give in and get frustrated.
With thiem, the slower conditions will favour him. He doesn't need it to be fast for his game to work. And he can probably run for as along as Djokovic. Stamina and endurance wont be a problem for him. Plus hes got the power to really hit through the court in those tough moments if he has to.
I'd probably say thiem.
One thing I'd add for Zverev, at WTF 18, Novak literally had no answer and didn't play bad. He literally got outplayed the whole match.
His matches against thiem have been close even when he loses. But it's just that I don't think Zverev will serve like that this time.
Zverev serve was on fire that day. Wont be the same case this time. Plus with Zverev, if things are not going his way (which will happen at some during the match), hes more likely to give in and get frustrated.
With thiem, the slower conditions will favour him. He doesn't need it to be fast for his game to work. And he can probably run for as along as Djokovic. Stamina and endurance wont be a problem for him. Plus hes got the power to really hit through the court in those tough moments if he has to.
I'd probably say thiem.
One thing I'd add for Zverev, at WTF 18, Novak literally had no answer and didn't play bad. He literally got outplayed the whole match.
His matches against thiem have been close even when he loses. But it's just that I don't think Zverev will serve like that this time.
TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
If either of them are seeing the ball big, they will be a handful. Perhaps a zoning Thiem would have the higher upside.
GoldenMasters
Semi-Pro
Both can be tricky. There is still hard work to be done if Novak wants 17 and no.1.
junior74
Bionic Poster
I see nothing Zverev can do to hurt Novak, apart from serving like he did against Wawrinka - and I don't think he can do that in BO5 against the best returner in the game.
Even Novak can be hurt by Thiem's depth, though. I have not been overly impressed by Novak's ground game. Consistent, but not special.
But who knows - Novak may have some extra gears that have not been needed so far...
Even Novak can be hurt by Thiem's depth, though. I have not been overly impressed by Novak's ground game. Consistent, but not special.
But who knows - Novak may have some extra gears that have not been needed so far...
Turning Pro
Hall of Fame
I voted zverev by accident on the ao poll so even more 1 sided!
Thiem at his best is similiar to wawrinka as a big problem for Djokovic's game.
Thiem at his best is similiar to wawrinka as a big problem for Djokovic's game.
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Thiem without doubt. Thiem can out last Djokovic in rallies and has a big serve and moves as well as Djokovic. Also will have confidence of beating Djokovic last couple of times they met.
Not saying he will win and Djokovic is favourite but i think innthe entire draw before the event Thiem was the guy Djokovic probably wanted to avoid.
Thiem has lost 2 Major finals so i doubt nerves will affect him as much this time.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Both have similar chances. Maybe 30% chance. Djoko is a massive favourite. Playing so well, loves the conditions and court speed. The weather on Sunday will be cooler too which is ideal for Novak.
Plus an extra day rest and Zverev and Thiem could be a long match. It might be hotter tomorrow than it was today. Furthermore, Novak has the experience and an invincibility in Melbourne. Both the young guns haven’t got a slam yet.
If I had to pick though I’d say Thiem. He’s more consistent and the court more suitable to him and has more grand slam experience than Zverev
Plus an extra day rest and Zverev and Thiem could be a long match. It might be hotter tomorrow than it was today. Furthermore, Novak has the experience and an invincibility in Melbourne. Both the young guns haven’t got a slam yet.
If I had to pick though I’d say Thiem. He’s more consistent and the court more suitable to him and has more grand slam experience than Zverev
victorcruz
Hall of Fame
Both of them at their best could beat him if he's not at his best. But he's usually goating if he reaches the final so I'd say Thanovic is inevitable. I hate to quote freaking Reddit but it's true.
Federer and Del Potro
Bionic Poster
Thiem. Will have a great chance but would have to protect his serve even better than he did vs Nadal
RF-18
Talk Tennis Guru
Wow you really think so? I'm positive Thiem will be a much bigger problem. Zverevs groundgame is nowhere near his. Zverevs serving is something I think Nole can solve.
Nadal_King
Hall of Fame
Thiem has way more chance infact I think zverev has no chance with due respect to him his game style won't be a problem for novak but thiem is like Wawrinka and can cause problems.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Yeah I agree Thiem is the greater threat. Plus he’s had wins over djoko and 2 at the french. I’m confident Novak is favourite against either but Thiem can make it tougher and more unnerving. He has big weapons in his game but breaking down djoko’s defence in Melbourne final is probably the 2nd hardest thing to do after doing it against Rafa on chatrier in RG final.
Won't matter because they will destroy each other in a gruelling 5 setter.Couple that with 1 less rest day and whoever reaches the final will be gassed.They are young but they don't have to same stamina levels that Nadal and Djokovic had in their prime when they could have a 5 hour match and then be fresh after less than 24 h rest time and play another 6 hour match.
I'd say either of them can beat him in the final but their only chance is to avoid a long semifinal.Both of them are playing great though so i don't think they can avoid a long match.Also i am pretty sure both of them are hungry to prove that they are the top dog amongst the young players(Thiem is a bit older but i am sure he sees himself as a next gen) and will not relent easily.
I'd say either of them can beat him in the final but their only chance is to avoid a long semifinal.Both of them are playing great though so i don't think they can avoid a long match.Also i am pretty sure both of them are hungry to prove that they are the top dog amongst the young players(Thiem is a bit older but i am sure he sees himself as a next gen) and will not relent easily.
I think the comparison of Thiem to Wawrinka might be right. A very strong power hitter who can throw Djokovic's precision game off kilter.
NoleFam
Bionic Poster
Well they both will be a problem if Zverev serves like that. Remember that's the type of serving he did in the WTF final when he beat Djokovic. Thiem will be tough but Djokovic played like crap against him last time and still it was 7-6 in the 3rd. He will have his chances.
Nadalgaenger
G.O.A.T.
Good thread. I had the same idea for a thread.
I'd say that Novak is maybe 65/35 against Thiem and 70/30 against Zverev. However, a zoning Zverev is probably a more dangerous matchup than Thiem for Novak due to the serve.
Thiem has two wins against Novak in majors (both at RG, however). The AO GOAT will be a substantial favorite against either.
I'd say that Novak is maybe 65/35 against Thiem and 70/30 against Zverev. However, a zoning Zverev is probably a more dangerous matchup than Thiem for Novak due to the serve.
Thiem has two wins against Novak in majors (both at RG, however). The AO GOAT will be a substantial favorite against either.
Gonzo_style
Hall of Fame
Novak himself
Nadalgaenger
G.O.A.T.
If this were Bo3 I'd disagree, but you may be right over Bo5. Zverev is completely unproven in that format.
Thiem is now one of the fittest guys on tour so I can see him going blow for blow over 5 sets.
goldenboot
New User
Thiem, he's won 4/5 of their recent encounters - even if many were on clay, I'd like to think that plus the win over Rafa should give him plenty of self belief!
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Alex Zverev in my opinion, if he serves like he's been doing this tournament (80% first serves in with 210+ kmph pace on them)
Plus, Sascha can handle the ocassion better and is less likely to underperform against a top player in a big final.
Unlike Thiem, Zverev's record at big finals speak volumes about it. Plus, he's beaten djokovic on big occassions before.
Whereas in case of Thiem, time and time again his underperformings after taking down a top player or the favourite player make me sceptical about his chances and mentality to win against djokovic at AO final.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Sams thoughts here fella.
Though we're in minority here.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
You don't solve 80% of the 215+ kmph first serves landing in, does not matter if you're the greatest returner of all time. It's just not possible unless the court is Monte Carlo or RG clay, even there it'd be quite difficult to deal with this kind of serving
NoleFam
Bionic Poster
The way Zverev served Wawrinka off the court was scary.
1990's Graphite
Hall of Fame
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Wawrinka is not exactly the comparison to do when it comes to this topic though. The guy's been handicapped against big servers for years.
The best comparison imo is zverev's match vs nole at WTF18 & Nadal at WTF19.
As I said, you don't solve that kind of serving, it's not possible.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
Thiem's firepower is nowhere near peaking stanimal though
RF-18
Talk Tennis Guru
Saw stats on Australian Opens site and Zverev is serving 80% first serves in this tournament (highest in the tournament). No wonder he has strolled through his competition cause he has the game to back it up aswell.
So yeah will be tough for Novak either way I agree with you.
quirotkicks
Rookie
Zverev is so overrated on these boards. All this fuss since he beat a WAY past his prime Wawrinka, who didn't even play a remotedly good match against Zverev to boot.
