Thiem’s ​​next bankruptcy in Australia

Thiem already played his first match on Tuesday and lost it: World No. 99. Local hero Alex de Minaur lost 4: 6, 4: 6. Thiem will play the second singles match on Wednesday against American Francis Tiafoe. Thiem was content with a short-lived appearance in the Melbourne suburb of Kooyong, where the Australian Open was held until 1987. “It wasn’t a bad match. First of all, it was good that I got the chance to play there. I just got word that I could play there because (Carlos) Algaras canceled two days ago. It’s a good preparation for next week,” Thiem said. The match against De Minaur was “OK”, “especially the breaks I made were good”.

Conditions at the Kooyang facility, six kilometers from the Australian Open grounds, are slightly different from those at Melbourne Park. “But in general I was happy with the competition and that definitely helps in preparation.” Thiem is looking for his 32nd Grand Slam appearance and his ninth appearance at the “Happy Slam”. “The Australian Open has already given me so many beautiful moments and so many legendary matches. That’s why I’m always happy when I come back,” Thiem reflected, among other things, on his run to the 2020 final. His turn came after defeating top-ten players Gail Monfils (10th), Rafael Nadal (1st) and Alexander Zverev (7th) before losing in five sets to Novak Djokovic (2nd) in the final.

Graber is the only Austrian in the main draw at the Australian Open

“Firstly, I want to enjoy it now. Every Grand Slam tournament is very special in our sport. At the same time, I want to make sure that I play as well as possible,” he said. theme. His body is fine. “I’m in good spirits for the new season and looking forward to a good start in Melbourne.” Thiem plans to train under competitive conditions at Melbourne Park on Thursday: he meets German Zverev.

It is also now clear that Austria’s Julia Graber will be the only player in the women’s main event at the Australian Open, which starts on Monday. Barbara Haas also lost her first qualifying round on Tuesday, after Sinja Krauss the previous day. The Upper Austrian lost to 29th-ranked Russian Erika Andrejeva 4-6, 1-6. Of the five Austrians in total, Jurij Rodionov and Sebastian Offner are the only ones in the elimination round, both of whom will play in the second round of qualifying on Wednesday. Rodionov against Bulgarian Adrian Andreju and Ofner against top seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile.