2017 RG Quarterfinals: Thiem vs. Djokovic

[rafanoy1992]

Who wins the match?

Djokovic leads the H2H 5-0 including a beat down 6-1,6-0 a month ago in Rome

While I think Djokovic will prevail, I do want to see on how Thiem will handle the occasion this time around

 

[AnonymousFan]

Thiem in 4

 

[DarthFed]

Very interested in this too. Had they not played in Rome at all I'd favor Thiem here for sure, but they did play and it was 6-1 6-0 for Nole, and he also destroyed Thiem in the semis last year though that was a far different Novak. This will tell us more about Dom than Nole. If Nole wins he gets destroyed next round anyways, if Dom wins convincingly it'd be something of a breakthrough and that becomes a tough semifinal for Rafa.

 

[Fiero425]

Very interested in this too. Had they not played in Rome at all I'd favor Thiem here for sure, but they did play and it was 6-1 6-0 for Nole, and he also destroyed Thiem in the semis last year though that was a far different Novak. This will tell us more about Dom than Nole. If Nole wins he gets destroyed next round anyways, if Dom wins convincingly it'd be something of a breakthrough and that becomes a tough semifinal for Rafa.

I wouldn't mind that scenario, but Dom had better not play "lights out" against Nole, then have a brain cramp the next round to be blown out by a rejuvenated Rafa!

 

[DarthFed]

Whatever results in the destruction of the evil Nads is what I'm in favor of

 

[Puppet Master]

I voted Thiem in 5 out of jest, but I do think he has a minimal chance here.
Seeing the results of their Rome "match" this year and their last RG encounter, one would be hard pressed to call it a match up.
Thiem's backhand is not very good defensively and he makes loads of errors with it, and then he tries to hit even bigger on the forehand side to compensate, bleeding errors from both wings.
Although it has to be said, Thiem played only one good set against Novak, and that was in London last year, which was a very tight tie break that he won. It's miraculous how Djokovic just summons the worst in Thiem.
Realistic prediction:
Croc cucks Thiem 7-5 6-2 6-2

 

[mrzz]

Thiem is rested, confident and playing well. So he has no excuses to deal with one thing top players need to deal: match up/strategic issues against other top players. From second tier down, you can try to ignore the problem and always hope that your adversary does not shows up, and/or is not able to exploit your weaknesses this time. You are not allowed to rely on that on the big leagues.

So, even if Thiem loses tomorrow, it will be quite a statement if he shows up with a game plan that allows him to at least compete. That's what I am expecting.

 

[Front242]

Won't be able to watch this with work but for those who can, I hope it's a good match. Thiem was very honest after his loss to Novak saying he's a very bad match up for him but h2h and match ups only matter so much if anyone recalls the scenario in 2009 with Soderling and Nadal: 6-1 6-0 in Rome and then look what happened in RG right after. Exact same scoreline that Thiem lost to Novak by at Rome, so who knows

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I was all excited to see this match and finally it got cancelled. Now, I have to wake up at 5 a.m. to see this. Now, I hope it can get to five sets, so that I can watch it even after getting up late.

Novak is certainly beatable, but whether he will be beaten by Thiem is another matter. I will pick Novak in four. Despite being in trouble multiple times in this tourney, Novak found a way to win and no reason he will not do so again (in fact he may not even get into trouble).

 

[Denis]

Djokovic in four.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Thiem wins this in a long and tough 5 setter and gets annihilated by Rafa in the semis. Maybe.

 

[kskate2]

@Murat Baslamisli

 

[kskate2]

Won't be able to watch this with work but for those who can, I hope it's a good match. Thiem was very honest after his loss to Novak saying he's a very bad match up for him but h2h and match ups only matter so much if anyone recalls the scenario in 2009 with Soderling and Nadal: 6-1 6-0 in Rome and then look what happened in RG right after. Exact same scoreline that Thiem lost to Novak by at Rome, so who knows

I think you have to look at the coin from both sides. You could say Domi might learn from both losses to Novak on clay and thus have a better game plan prepared like Soderling did in 2009.

 

[britbox]

Domi grabs the first on the breaker. Good set of tennis. Djoker really beginning to pummel the Thiem backhand during the latter stages, but Novak is simply making too many errors and giving critical points away.

 

[atttomole]

Domi grabs the first on the breaker. Good set of tennis. Djoker really beginning to pummel the Thiem backhand during the latter stages, but Novak is simply making too many errors and giving critical points away.

The intensity was very high in the first set. Thiem looks very determined, and he seems like he will not accept a loss today.

 

[El Dude]

Watching Thiem I'm reminded of Ferrer - not necessarily their styles, but the feeling that in order for Thiem to beat the Big Four he has to play a near perfect match, and the Big Four guy has to be struggling...like Novak is, with all of his unforced errors.

To put that another way, Thiem can only beat them if he brings his A game AND the Big Four player plays his C game (with A being highest level, B being a good level but not best, and C being decent but flawed). In that way Thiem really feels more on the level of Ferrer, Berdych, or Tsonga.

 

[El Dude]

From what I've seen - the tiebreaker and the beginning of the second set - this is Thiem's B game vs. Novak's C game, which means its up for grabs. Thiem should win this, but he doesn't seem quite able to run away with it.

 

[El Dude]

Thiem looks to be finding a nice cruise control mode - keep the pressure on.

It is painful watching Novak. He really is a shadow of what he was. It reminds me of Rafa in 2015-16, or Roger in 2013.

 

[Haelfix]

Djokovic is pulling a bit of a no show. I don't like the mental attitude, and he doesn't seem to want to put up a fight.
I also disagree with the commentators.. Thiem isn't redlining his game, he's played like this most of the clay season.

 

[mrzz]

Watching Thiem I'm reminded of Ferrer - not necessarily their styles, but the feeling that in order for Thiem to beat the Big Four he has to play a near perfect match, and the Big Four guy has to be struggling...like Novak is, with all of his unforced errors.

To put that another way, Thiem can only beat them if he brings his A game AND the Big Four player plays his C game (with A being highest level, B being a good level but not best, and C being decent but flawed). In that way Thiem really feels more on the level of Ferrer, Berdych, or Tsonga.

I guess you get that impression given the match up. When Thiem plays Nadal it surely does not feel that way.

Edit: Before people miss interpret me: I am not saying that Thiem will always beat Nadal, I am saying that they both go for it on their matches and he still made them competitive, winning a few.