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Preview: Dominic Thiem knows what it’s like to make it all the way through the rigours of a half-dozen best-of-five-set matches across two weeks in order to reach a Grand Slam final — only to run into that particular tournament’s greatest champion. It’s happening to Thiem at the Australian Open, where he will face defending champion Novak Djokovic for the title on Sunday. Just like it happened to Thiem at the French Open, where he was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal each of the past two years. Djokovic already owns a record seven trophies from the hard courts of Melbourne Park. So far, he is a combined 15-0 in semi-finals and finals in Rod Laver Arena. “It’s absolutely his comfort zone here,” Thiem said. Nadal has been even more prolific on the red clay of Roland Garros, going 24-0 in the last two rounds en route to his 12 championships there. Nadal is known as the “King of Clay,” so Thiem joked after beating No 7 seed Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4) in the semi-finals Friday night that Djokovic is the “King of Australia,” then added: “I’m always facing the kings of a certain Grand Slam in the final.” Also at stake for Djokovic on Sunday will be a 17th Grand Slam trophy overall, which would push him closer to the two men he is chasing: Nadal with 19, and record-holder Roger Federer with 20. In addition to his haul from here, Djokovic’s major championship collection already includes five from Wimbledon, three at the US Open and one from the French Open. Djokovic won his semi-final against Federer in straight sets Thursday night, so he gets an extra day of rest before facing Thiem. With inputs from AP.
Australian Open 2020 Final, Dominic Thiem vs Novak Djokovic, Highlights: Djokovic wins eighth title at Melbourne Park
Follow all the latest updates from the Australian Open 2020 Men’s Singles Final between Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem on firstpost.com’s LIVE blog.
 "Australian Open 2020 Final, Dominic Thiem vs Novak Djokovic, Highlights: Djokovic wins eighth title at Melbourne Park")
With that we bid you goodbye! It has been an incredible two weeks and it culminates in Novak Djokovic winning his eighth Australian Open title. A recap of all the winners then…
And here are your #AUSOpen champions of 2020:
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) February 2, 2020
Men's Singles - @DjokerNole
Women's Singles - @SofiaKenin
Men's Doubles - @RajeevRam/@joesalisbury92
Women's Doubles - @TimeaBabos/ @KikiMladenovic
Mixed Doubles - @B_Krejcikova/@NMektic
LIVE👇https://t.co/xkGyMyW1ox pic.twitter.com/Q3tyJt4i2U
Yikes! The huge difference!
Number of different men's singles champions at the Grand Slams since start of 2006: 7
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) February 1, 2020
Number of different women's singles champions at the Grand Slams since start of 2006: 25
Dominic Thiem is getting closer. Title coming closer.
What a guy @ThiemDomi is.
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 2, 2020
Speaking after a tough loss, this was all class. 👏#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/qKXpIeXZtH
Djokovic got the trophy from Marat Safin
When 2005 #AusOpen champion Marat Safin meets 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020 champion, @DjokerNole.#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/8CBNBFhfDw
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 2, 2020
Novak Djokovic: “I would like to start by saying congratulations to Dominic for an amazing tournament. Tough luck, and you were very close to winning it, but you have a lot of time in your career and I’m sure you’ll win more than one of these Grand Slam trophies.”
“I would like to thank my team, my family. My brother is here, thank you for coming all the way to Australia to spend some quality time.”
“As Dominic said, there was a devastating start to 2020 with the bushfires. Also, someone who I considered a mentor to me, Kobe Bryant, passed away with his daughter, and I think it’s a reminder to stay close to the people that love you, that care about you. We’re athletes, we play sports, but it’s important to remember there are more important things in life.”
“I would like to thank the fans, who showed up every day. This tournament sets a high standard, and I’m so glad to have won this trophy yet again.”
Dominic Thiem: “I would like to thank Novak. Amazing achievement and also to your team. Unreal what you’re doing all through years. You and other two guys have brought immense level to the sport. I fell short today but I hope to come back again. Very well done.”
“This beautiful country is going through many things. Australian Open was a great distraction, but hope the country continues to recover and something like this never happens again.”
“I experienced huge support throughout these two weeks. Thanks to everyone for coming, the organisers, it is an absolute pleasure to be here. Looking forward to coming in next year already and thanks to everyone who comes in to support us.”
Andy Murray was 0-4 in slam finals before he won
Thiem is nearing the Andy Murray "I'm getting closer" moment. (The problem: Murray won the subsequent Major; Thiem's next Major is Nadal on clay)
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) February 2, 2020
13 of them going o the Big 3….
21 Grand Slams in a row now without a first-time champion in men’s singles. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/r0S1Ph4rOK
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 2, 2020
Something about being 33?
Number of Grand Slam titles on their 33rd birthday
— Nick Zaccardi (@nzaccardi) February 2, 2020
Roger Federer: 17 (won No. 18 two and a half years later)
Rafael Nadal: 17 (won No. 18 six days later)
Novak Djokovic: 17 (turns 33 on May 22)
How the Big 3 stake up now after Djokovic’s win
The clincher!
THE KING OF MELBOURNE!@DjokerNole | #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/MEwLQQbvAa
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 2, 2020
STAT ALERT
Novak Djokovic is now within three grand slams of Roger Federer. The last time the gap was this small was in 2004 when Federer won Wimbledon. Novak was 17 then having turned pro just a year ago.
Djokovic wins his 8th Australian Open
Novak Djokovic beats Dominic Thiem 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 59 minutes to lift his 8th Australian Open, 17th grand slam title and will be the World No. 1 when the rankings are updated on Monday.
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 5-4 *Thiem (* denotes server)
Dominic Thiem gets an eye on the Novak Djokovic serve in the previous game but the Serb stays alive. Now the Austrian with the big challenge of holding serve and forcing Djokovic to hold nerverve it out. Thiem drops a point and holds serve.
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 4-3 *Thiem (* denotes server)
An ace down the tee, confirmed on a challenge, helps Thiem stay alive in the game and keep it to 30-30 rather than a possible 15-40. A well played point from Thiem: moving Novak side-to-side and ekes a high reply at the net and kills it off by moving up. Thiem is unable to get himself in the right place, right footing and the forehand sails long. Massu urges Thiem on even as crowd chants ‘Nole, Nole, Nole’. Djokovic with a missed forehand and he’s visibly upset. Djokovic has Thiem on the run around this time and the Austrian goes for a down the line forehand winner on the run but it goes long. Net clippers for both: it goes over for Djokovic but not for Thiem. Is that luck deciding things in this match? Break point and instantly shut down with a big serve. Another big serve, an ace, to bring up game point. Make that three great serves from Thiem to hold serve.
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 3-2 *Thiem (* denotes server)
Dominic Thiem somehow, just somehow, stays alive. Djokovic getting many more balls back into play, many rallies and suddenly the depth and zest on the shots is back. But Thiem holds to keep it to one break
Djokovic* 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 3-1 Thiem (* denotes server)
Thiem has the chance to break right back but after an incredible rally, Thiem sends the forehand into the net. But there’s another opportunity now with Thiem’s powerful groundstrokes rushing Novak. A backhand error and Thiem has another go at it. A serve and volley from Djokovic and it was placed well deep, on Thiem’s backhand, but the reply goes long. On deuce, Djokovic gets the drop right and Thiem gets to it but the gentle push surges long. A backhand error later, Djokovic sees his break advantage being consolidated. The Novak box is up and pumped!
Mood.
(🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/nVvKXFySrj
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) February 2, 2020
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 2-1 *Thiem (* denotes server)
Dominic Thiem sees his forehand go long after the challenge confirms it didn’t clip the line as he hoped. 30-30 and a chance for Djokovic. A 20-shot rally sees Thiem send the forehand into the net and it brings up the first break point of the fifth for Djokovic. A missed backhand and Djokovic has the BREAK! Novak clenches his fist, looks at his camp and takes the seat
Sensing his 17th?
Finding his rhythm 🕺@DjokerNole breaks Dominic Thiem and then consolidates in a hurry to take the fourth set, 6-3.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 2, 2020
Who wins the decider? #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/XkU4xrBc30
Best of 3 or Best of 5? What do you want?
2019 Wimbledon men's final - 5 sets
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) February 2, 2020
2019 US Open men's final - 5 sets
2020 Aussie Open men's final - 5 sets
Anyone complaining?
Fourth set to Djokovic 6-3
Novak Djokovic takes the fourth set 6-3 and he forces a fifth set. A decider. In the final. The Serb has been here and before and has taken a massive tussle to bring this up. Looked out at one point but a break late on in the fourth set has Novak in ascendancy
Djokovic* 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3 Thiem (* denotes server)
Boosted by that break of serve, Novak Djokovic holds and takes the fourth set! A love hold for Novak and he forces a decider. ACE to take it! Looked down and out at the start of the fourth and now he’s back in it!
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 5-3 *Thiem (* denotes server)
BREAK! Djokovic had the look-in in the last game and he has another this time. Helped by Thiem. A double fault gives Novak two break point chances. Thiem with a well placed serve out wide and then a winner on the short ball to cut it to one. Thiem sends the forehand long and Djokovic has the break advantage!
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 3-3 *Thiem (* denotes server)
Dominic Thiem is going NOWHERE! An absolutely huge point, on deuce, with Thiem serving, as the rally gets long and tension builds but Thiem persists and closes it out with a smash. Big point and he follows it up with forcing Novak into a miss.
As Djokovic holds to make it 3-2, on serve, in the fourth set
Love how Dominic Thiem has shown aggression from different parts of the court with a wide variety of shots.
— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) February 2, 2020
How much he has improved is a testament to his hard work!
Djokovic* 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 2-1 Thiem (* denotes server)
After both players held serve at the start of the fourth, Djokovic’s serve is under pressure. He sends the forehand long and Thiem, at 30-40, has a break point. Djokovic with a well constructed point to kill it off at the net to brings things to deuce. Follows it up with a perfectly placed drop volley. Djokovic doesn’t look 100% and is improvising by moving up when he can. It does help that the sliced backhand hits the net and trickles over. Novak looks up and thanks god for something finally going his way!
Djokovic’s record when down two sets to one
Novak Djokovic is 14-19 when down by two sets to one at grand slams. It is 16-20 overall and 1-2 at Australian Open (beat Murray while going down to Wawrinka and Goldstein)
One more to go for Thiem. Can he go all the way?
Could it be?
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 2, 2020
@ThiemDomi | #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/fmKer2rnec
Medical time out
Novak Djokovic has gone off the court with the doctors. Not clear whether it is an injury or an escelation of some sort. Djokovic got up and walked off the court with the doctor. Chair umpire letting Thiem know on the updates. For now, there’s a wait…
Third set to Dominic Thiem 6-2
Dominic Thiem takes the third 6-2 in 47 minutes and is two sets to one ahead. In a shock third set, Thiem ran away 4-0 before Djokovic kept things alive with two holds. But couldn’t prolong the inevitable with Thiem one set away from a maiden grand slam title
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 2-6 *Thiem (* denotes server)
If a rally goes long, it is going in Thiem’s favour. Dominic doing really well to push the ball deep and forcing Djokovic off his guard. A wild forehand doesn’t help the cause and it is 30-30. But he returns with a pin-point forehand winner to brig up set point. It is saved with Thiem pinging the net. Novak had the chance to capitalise on a weak Thiem smash but sends it into the net. A double fault, his fourth, on the second set point brings the game to deuce. Lovely serve out wide on deuce court and Djokovic’s stretched return lands long. Third set point chance. On the kick second serve, Djokovic with a backhand winner down the line. Deuce once again. Once again Novak goes for the deep backhand reply and closes the point out with a second smash. Break point opportunity now. This time the return lands wide on the backhand wing. Djokovic goes for a backhand on the sideline but it lands wide. Fourth set point now for Thiem. This time Djokovic hits the top of the tape and Thiem takes it 6-2.
Djokovic* 6-4, 4-6, 2-5 Thiem (* denotes server)
Djokovic with his own confident serve of hold now. An ace and a winner to shut things down. Djokovic looks sapped of energy as the set wears down. Only smart to focus on the fourth now….
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 1-5 *Thiem (* denotes server)
Thiem with an ace and a backhand winner down the line to close out the game with the new balls. Djokovic not even getting close to matching Thiem on energy level right now.
Djokovic* 6-4, 4-6, 1-4 Thiem (* denotes server)
Novak Djokovic gets on the board with a backhand winner down the line. And immediately calls for the trainer. Novak said something felt “tight”. No extended medical timeout though for Djokovic. He labours on for now.
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 0-4 *Thiem (* denotes server)
Djokovic has a chance to make inroads into the Thiem serve but the Austrian is in perfect touch. At 30-30, he sends in a gorgeous lob with Novak at the net. Follows it up with a 191 kmph ace out wide to hold serve
Djokovic* 6-4, 4-6, 0-3 Thiem (* denotes server)
BREAK! What is going on here! Novak Djokovic is in all sorts of trouble and Thiem is making the most of drop in effort from Novak. A powerful backhand winner down the line from Thiem brings up two break points. An overrule, kind of, helps Djokovic on a deep return from Thiem. On the replayed point, Djokovic closes things with a second smash. One break point gone, one to come. A forehand unforced error sees Thiem go two breaks ahead in the third!
Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 0-2 *Thiem (* denotes server)
From 0-30 down, Thiem brings it to 30-30 with help from Djokovic’s depleted groundstrokes. Djokovic follows it up with a perfect drop shot and then takes a volley into open court. But Thiem closes the ajar door with a powerful backhand which Novak can only see touch the middle of the net. A big forehand kisses the side of the line and brings up game point for Dominic. Djokovic sends the serve into the net. Shoulders drop even more!
Djokovic* 6-4, 4-6, 0-1 Thiem (* denotes server)
BREAK! A break of serve to start the third set and Djokovic looks wounded all of a sudden. From 30-15, Thiem turns it around and brings it to break point with a pulsating forehand winner down the line. On the break point, Djokovic goes for a drop volley and it sits up very nicely for Thiem but he hits the top of the net to see the ball land wide. Djokovic helps Thiem with a missed forehand and that’s second break point chance. Djokovic goes for the sideline on the backhand and misses. Djokovic looks tired, looks spent, looks totally out of ideas
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