The waiting is over for the Austrian tennis fans: Dominic Thiem is playing for his first entry into a Grand Slam final, Oliver Marach is already aiming for his second one this season.
By Jens Huiber from Paris
Match of the day, one: Dominic Thiem (AUT/7) vs. Marco Cecchinato (ITA). If you go by the ATP world ranking, Thiem is the clear favourite in this game. If you go by the previous performances in the tournament, at least easier. Of course: Cecchinato has beaten several men of distinction on the way to the semi-finals with Pablo Carreno Busta, David Goffin and Novak Djokovic. Goffin, however, had already struggled his way through the entire tournament, Djokovic, in the end, however, acted far below his normal form. Otherwise the Serb wouldn’t have given up a two-break lead.
Thiem has also benefited from Alexander Zverev’s physical difficulties, but this year he succeeds in what he had failed in the past: The Austrian is improving from lap to lap.
Match of the day, two: Rafael Nadal (ESP/1) vs. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG/5). Alexander Zverev last named five tennis players in Munich who can beat Rafael Nadal on sand. Juan Martin del Potro was one of them. The second match after 1 pm will be played on Philippe Chatrier’s court.
Del Potro has struggled to keep his cool after his win over Marin Cilic. But the fans of the Argentinian didn’t resent the tears shed after all. Rafael Nadal wasn’t crying, just angry. After a weak start against Diego Schwartzman. Nadal has never lost at the French Open in the semi-finals, not in the final anyway.
Oh, yes: After Zverev´scher diction Dominic Thiem is also able to finish this series.
The Austrian glasses: Oliver Marach will have done a little mourning work, after all Mate Pavic could not win the mixed doubles at the Australian Open. Marc and Feliciano Lopez, not related, not related by marriage, wait for the Austro-Croatian pairing, in Roland Garros already once champions. But also vulnerable: This was demonstrated by their defeat at home to Germany in the Davis Cup in Valencia. And we know that Marach/Pavic can play Grand Slam tennis since their success at the Australian Open.
Here are the most important matches of Friday in Roland Garros