2020 Australian Open Final: Novak Djokovic vs. Dominic Thiem

[Jelenafan]

Yes but ND is actually better player than 2013, 2014 of which you are basing your comparison to. I suppose winning 4 of their previous five matches vs ND will be a confidence builder for Thiem but if (and it's a big 'If' ) the match turns into a 4 or 5 setter, Thiem will run out of gas having had to play longer matches. For sure i hope he can win but i don't see how especially on that court surface.

Majors normally have a day’s rest between matches, Theim's last 3 matches were 4 sets, 4 sets and 3 sets over Zverev, Nadal and Monfils. If the Zverev and Nadal matches had gone the full 5 sets i think major physical fatigue could be a factor but a 26 year old player who from all acounts is a conditioning freak should be OK.

Mental fatigue is another matter, harder to gauge.

 

[El Dude]

Stanimal has been to 4 winning 3 and you can add Medvedev's 1

Yes, I erred on Stan. I didn't list Medvedev--or others--in the active list, because they didn't reach 3 or more finals.

 

[Moxie]

I think he probably went through a bigger pressure cooker playing Nadal in RG finals. Djoker's not immune to feeling the odd nerves either - outside of playing Federer, that is.

It's not worth debating whether a final v. Nadal at RG or a final v. Djokovic at AO is more stressful, but the main point is that he's been in two finals of Majors by now, and so the stress of that will be mostly past him. I do think fatigue could play into it, and that would favor Novak, with the easier route to the final, and the extra day's rest. I agree with others who say that it's hard to game nerves. But Novak does know he has a lot on the line. Nerves got Roger at Wimbledon this past year, and almost got the better of Nadal at the USO final. Djokovic will know that he either stays in touching distance of the records, or he misses a big opportunity. If Thiem can get out in front and work Novak's nerves, he's got a chance. If he falls behind, he's cooked, IMO. I'm going to wake up for the start and see how the first set goes.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Sorry I just don not see it,Novak has not even have to go in top gear as yet in the AO

Theim had to battle against Rafa and also Sasha

This is Novak's backyard,I am still not convinced that Theim can cause a upset,it he does,even though I am not a fan,I will be the first to congratulate him.

 

[AnonymousFan]

9/15 (60%) in the poll are predicting an upset

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

9/15 (60%) in the poll are predicting an upset

Polls can be wrong lol!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The bookies say Novak 77% and Thiem 23%

 

[Moxie]

Polls can be wrong lol!

Polls in this case are also bias-based. No chance it means anything.

 

[Moxie]

The bookies say Novak 77% and Thiem 23%

That's probably about right. Or maybe a bit optimistic for Thiem.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Picking in Nole 4.

I want next genners to take out Novak after he crosses Ralph.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The roof will be open for the match,cooler conditions again in Melbourne today,though where I live we have had 2 days of Heat Wave conditions.Ugh!

 

[Moxie]

Picking in Nole 4.

I want next genners to take out Novak after he crosses Ralph.

By that do you mean "passes" Nadal? You are treading a fine path there, no?

 

[don_fabio]

Dream start for Novak, 3:0

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak Djokovic is looking to become the first man in the Open Era to win Grand Slam titles in 3 different decades.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Marat Safin will be presenting the trophy to the winner of the men's final.

 

[britbox]

Novak's running a clinic so far.

 

[AnonymousFan]

2 BPs

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Out of nowhere Theim breaks back,wind is swirling around on RLA.the end that Novak was serving.

 

[Moxie]

Marat Safin will be presenting the trophy to the winner of the men's final.

Already spotted him. He's back around in tennis a lot these days, btw.

 

[AnonymousFan]