US Open: Dominic Thiem must attack over the outdoor courts

Dominic Thiem opens his US Open campaign-2018 against the Bosnian Mirza Basic on Monday (fourth match after 11 am local time). The positioning is a bit surprising.

By Jens Huiber from New York City

After all, Dominic Thiem believes that one thing can be recorded even before the US Open 2018 begins: Austria’s number one can start the tournament as discreetly as the preparations during the last few days. On Court 10 (fourth match on Monday after 11 a.m.) it’s against Mirza Basic, not a court that is surrounded by the aura of the great tennis world.

Strictly speaking an affront to the world’s number nine, which also applies to the ladies: Julia Görges will give the forerunner Thiems, the German is also in ninth place. However, Görges comes from a somewhat successful week in New Haven, where she has reached the semi-finals. Dominic Thiem has regenerated and trained against Stefanos Tsitsipas since his retirement in Toronto.

Dominic Thiem’s last memory of the US Open is not a good one: two match points went to Juan Martin del Potro, the Argentinian won after trailing 0:2 sets. At least at the grandstand.

Philipp Kohlschreiber and David Goffin were on the program of the Lichtenwörther on Friday, they know and appreciate each other. Thiem has already played doubles with both of them, and with Goffin at the US Open. And also on Court 10 or in its immediate vicinity. The Belgian is in search of his best form at the moment, the semi-final in Cincinnati suggests that Goffin has found it.

Kohlschreiber, on the other hand, is facing a purely German matter, training partner Yannick Hanfmann is waiting in round one. Dominic Thiem’s journey in New York, however, begins with Basic, the current number 81 in the world.

The Bosnian’s last victory in an ATP main field dates from the grass court tournament in Antalya, at the US Open it has been played on hard court for an astonishingly long time, in 2018 on what is generally thought to be a slower variant.

Kevin Anderson in the fourth round, however, is not a name on the wish list of the 24-year-old. Whatever speaks for Thiem is the best-of-five format, even if the affected immune system first had to be replenished.

Steve Johnson, a potential second-round opponent of Thiems, is warming up very successfully at Winston Salem. Johnson has reached the final after beating Pablo Carreno Busta, Thiem knows the American well. The two have played against each other three times, Thiem leads in the balance with 2:1 victories.

Against Mirza Basic, the record is still spotless, so Court 10 will witness a premiere. Perhaps with even greater support from the Austrian camp: Dennis Novak has Monday off, can stand by his buddy Thiem for the start.

Here is the schedule for Monday at the US Open