“He does not give you any free points” – Thiem admits that matches against Nadal are the most intense

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5 years ago

Dominic Thiem in action against Alexander Zverev during their semifinal clash at the Australian Open. (Getty Images)

Dominic Thiem overcame Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals to set up his maiden Australian Open final appearance on Friday

Australian Open finalist Dominic Thiem admits that the most intense matches are against Rafael Nadal after his win over Alexander Zverev in the semi-final.

He will next meet World No.3 and record seven-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic in the final.

Thiem, who made his first-ever entry into the Australian Open final, was speaking to the media after his victory when one of the reporters asked him what were the challenges he faced after his match against Nadal.

Dominic Thiem in action against Alexander Zverev during their semifinal clash at the Australian Open. (Getty Images)

In reply, the Austrian said that it was demanding both physically and mentally after such an intense game against Nadal.

He continued saying that despite all that, with experience and time it became better to face such kind of situations.

“Yeah, I think that it is the most intense matches against Rafa. He does not give you any free points. You have to win every single point in those matches. So that is very demanding physically and mentally,” the fifth seed replied.

“But I also had big issues with that 2-3 years ago when I was beating a big guy I’d almost all the time lose my next match but with experience and with more times when you are facing that situation it got better,” he went on explaining.

“Also, today, in the beginning, I had some troubles. I was not in the zone like straightaway like in the match against Rafa. It took a while, maybe 20-30 minutes but I think that it’s normal and you just have to fight through and stay full in the match,” the 26-year old concluded.

Thiem extends lead

Meanwhile, Thiem extended his lead against his friend and on-court rival Zverev to 7-2 following his victory over the latter in the semi-final recently.

Thiem (in focus) has now extended his head-to-head lead against Zverev to 7-2 after his Australian Open semi-final win on Friday. (Getty Images)

He overcame the 22-year old Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 in their latest of encounters, thereby denying the German of a maiden Grand Slam final appearance.