Dominic Thiem may be a top four seed in next week’s US Open, but the Austrian has played down the prospect of him winning his first grand slam title at the event.
The 25-year-old has experienced a setback in his build up to the tournament. Since winning the Kitzbuhel Open on clay, Thiem has only managed to play three matches on a hard court. Reaching the quarter-finals of the Rogers Cup in what what was his best-ever run at the tournament. However, more recently Thiem has been sidelined from action due to a virus and pulled out of the Cincinnati Masters.
Thiem’s first round opponent at the US Open will be Italy’s Thomas Fabbiano, who has suffered two consecutive first round losses on the tour. Fabbiano reached the third round in New York back in 2017, but has missed the two most recent editions.
“Without a doubt, there are much tougher rivals than Thomas Fabbiano in a first round, although I must say that, after overcoming this viral disease, I do not expect miracles.” Thiem told Sky Sport Austria on Thursday.
Heading into the event, Thiem has said he has set out no goal. He will be defending 360 ranking points after reaching the quarter-finals 12 months ago before losing in a five-set thriller to Rafael Nadal. Overall, Thiem’s win-loss at the US Open is 15-5 heading into this year.
“Right now I do not consider reaching a quarterfinals or a semifinal. I want to go round to round, looking beyond would be presumptuous.” He said.
“In the next few days I will keep my training to a minimum, the goal is to be in perfect shape on Monday.”
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Despite his recent setbacks, 2019 has been a season of success for the world No.4. In March he won the biggest title of his career at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. He would then go on to win trophies in Barcelona and Kitzhbuel. However, in the grand slams he has been less consistent. At the French Open Thiem reached the final, but has failed to win back-to-back matches at both the Australian Open (second round) and Wimbledon (first round). Although at the Australian Open he was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to illness.
The US Open will get underway on Monday.
Dominic Thiem at the US Open
| 2018 |
|
| Round | Rank | Opponent | W-L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter-Finals | 1 |
Rafael Nadal ESP
|
L | 60 46 57 764 675 |
| Round of 16 | 5 |
Kevin Anderson RSA
|
W | 75 62 762 |
| Round of 32 | 74 |
Taylor Fritz USA
|
W | 36 63 765 64 |
| Round of 64 | 31 |
Steve Johnson USA
|
W | 675 63 57 64 61 |
| Round of 128 | 81 |
Mirza Basic BIH
|
W | 63 61 64 |
| 2017 |
|
| Round | Rank | Opponent | W-L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | 28 |
Juan Martin del Potro ARG
|
L | 61 62 16 671 46 |
| Round of 32 | 34 |
Adrian Mannarino FRA
|
W | 75 63 64 |
| Round of 64 | 108 |
Taylor Fritz USA
|
W | 64 64 46 75 |
| Round of 128 | 186 |
Alex de Minaur AUS
|
W | 64 61 61 |
| 2016 |
|
| Round | Rank | Opponent | W-L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | 142 |
Juan Martin del Potro ARG
|
L | 36 23 (RET) |
| Round of 32 | 39 |
Pablo Carreno Busta ESP
|
W | 16 64 64 75 |
| Round of 64 | 89 |
Ricardas Berankis LTU
|
W | 64 63 62 |
| Round of 128 | 66 |
John Millman AUS
|
W | 63 26 57 64 63 |
| 2015 |
|
| Round | Rank | Opponent | W-L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 14 |
Kevin Anderson RSA
|
L | 36 673 673 |
| Round of 64 | 70 |
Denis Istomin UZB
|
W | 64 64 10 (RET) |
| Round of 128 | 76 |
Daniel Gimeno-Traver ESP
|
W | 75 63 75 |
| 2014 |
|
| Round | Rank | Opponent | W-L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | 7 |
Tomas Berdych CZE
|
L | 16 26 46 |
| Round of 32 | 21 |
Feliciano Lopez ESP
|
W | 64 62 63 |
| Round of 64 | 12 |
Ernests Gulbis LTA
|
W | 46 36 64 63 63 |
| Round of 128 | 84 |
Lukas Lacko SLO
|
W | 63 63 62 |
