Australian Open 2021: Dominic Thiem defeats Nick Kyrgios in epic five-set thriller


Australian Open 2021: Dominic Thiem defeats Nick Kyrgios in epic five-set thriller
Dominic Thiem

In what proved to be an electric third round match with the home crowd getting behind countryman Nick Kyrgios, the Australian put up a dogged fight to nearly upset one of the favorites of the Australian Open 2021, Dominic Thiem before going down in five sets. Kyrgios, the ultimate showboater in tennis and a treat to watch, was in his element in the first two sets as he rocketed to a 2-0 lead.

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Ample proof of Kyrgios being in his element during the match was evident when he came up with an underarm serve that caught his opponent by surprise to clinch the second set. Getting the crowd going, playing swashbuckling shots, watching his own replays on the big screen, this was Kyrgios at his ‘Kyrgios’est. However, Thiem’s resolve shone through in the next three sets as one break of serve each meant, he came up trumps in the end.

Dominic Thiem survives a huge scare

Each set had just one break apiece from each player and it was evident that it couldn’t have gotten closer than what the Australian crowd got. They got behind their countryman and shouted their hearts out whenever he got a point. There was delirium especially in the first two sets as Kyrgios looked set to defeat Thiem and with ease at that. However, Thiem brought out all his big-match experience to prove the crowd otherwise.

Further, the match was proof that sports without the crowds is a big blow. The five-set classic that Thiem and Kyrgios played out today wouldn’t have been the same without crowds. Unfortunately though, there won’t be crowds for the next five days at least as the Victorian Government has announced a state lockdown.

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Domonic Thiem will face fellow one-handed backhand player Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round.

Also Read: Australian Open 2021: Day 5– Halep, Serena, Osaka, Sabalenka, all the big names march into the 4th round