Thiem lost the first match against De Minaur at the Kooyong Classic

Thiem already had the first match on Tuesday and lost it: the world number 99. local hero Alex de Minaur lost 4:6,4:6. Thiem contests a second singles on Wednesday and meets the American Frances Tiafoe.

Thiem was satisfied with the short-term 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 the info two days ago that I can play there because of (Carlos) Alcaraz’s cancellation. It’s one good preparation for next week,” said Thiem. The match against De Minaur was “okay”, “especially the breaks I made were good”.

The conditions at the Kooyong facility, six kilometers from the Australian Open venue, are slightly different than at Melbourne Park. “But in general I was happy with the match and it’s definitely a help in preparation.”

Thiem is looking forward to his 32nd Grand Slam tournament and his ninth appearance at “Happy Slam”. “The Australian Open has already given me a lot of beautiful moments, as well as many legendary matches. That’s why I’m always happy when I come back,” Thiem probably remembered, among other things, his run to the 2020 final, when it was his turn after beating the top ten players Gael Monfils (10th), Rafael Nadal (1st) and Alexander Zverev (7th) before failing in the final in five sets against Novak Djokovic (2nd).

“First and foremost, I want to enjoy it now. Every single Grand Slam is a very special thing in our sport. At the same time, of course, I want to make sure that I’m playing as well as possible,” said Thiem. His body is doing very well. “I’m in good spirits for the new season and I’m hoping for a good start in Melbourne.” Thiem also scheduled training under match conditions at Melbourne Park on Thursday: he meets the German Zverev.

Now it is also clear that only Julia Grabher will be in the main competition for women from Austria at the Australian Open, which starts on Monday. After Sinja Kraus the day before, Barbara Haas also lost in the first qualifying round on Tuesday. The Upper Austrian lost to the number 29 seeded Russian Erika Andrejewa 4:6,1:6. Of the total of five Austrians, only Jurij Rodionov and Sebastian Ofner are still in the elimination round, both will play their second-round qualifying match on Wednesday. Rodionov against the Bulgarian Adrian Andrejew, Ofner against the top seeded Chilean Alejandro Tabilo.

Source: Nachrichten