Two tips from Graham Ruthven, for the second semi final at the Men's Australian Open.
Dominic Thiem v Sascha Zverev
Friday 31 January, Australian Open men’s singles semi final
The narrative could barely be stronger ahead of this Australian Open semi final. Both these players enjoyed potentially career-changing wins in their respective quarter finals, with Thiem and Zverev just two wins away from breaking their Grand Slam duck. This feels like a clash between two players who could dominate the next generation of the men’s game.
Until now, Zverev had never made it as far as a Grand Slam semi final. The German has won Masters titles and won the ATP Tour Finals in 2018, but has a propensity for getting involved in early round marathons at the majors. Zverev has only dropped one set at the Australian Open so far, though, with his four-set disposal of Stan Wawrinka very impressive.
There were concerns over the German’s serving coming into this tournament, but Wawrinka couldn’t cope with Zverev’s serve. In fact, the number seven seed won every single one of his service points in the second set. It was a hugely impressive demonstration from a player long tipped for the top.
Thiem also turned in an exceptional quarter final performance, seeing off Rafael Nadal in four sets. The Austrian benefited from the slower courts at Melbourne Park this year and showed great mental strength to win three tie breakers against the world number one. That victory could give him the confidence to go all the way.
It used to be the case that Thiem struggled to find his best form on hard courts, but this run to the Australian Open semi finals comes just two months after a run to the final of the ATP Tour Finals, also on a hard court - albeit an indoor one. At 26, Thiem looks to be fitter than at any other point of his career to date.
This will be the ninth time that the two players have each other, with Thiem winning six times and Zverev two. Thiem, as a former Grand Slam finalist, has the greater pedigree of the two and will be the slight favourite, but Zverev mustn’t be discounted. There is a sense that the German is finally putting together all the pieces of his potential. He has never played better than this. There is good value in the Zverev win.
0.75pts - Sascha Zverev To Win 9/5
1.5pts - Over 38.5 Total Games 7/10
