Dominic Thiem v Alexander Zverev In The US Open Final, Who’s The Pick?

by Sean Randall | September 13th, 2020, 12:11 am
  • 10 Comments

So it’s Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev in a Big 4-less final at the US Open on Sunday. The title match will crown the first new Grand Slam champion in six years since Marin Cilic beat Kei Nishikori way back in 2014 in New York. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another six after tomorrow. I don’t think we will.

Thiem, though, is the class of the post-Big 4. He’s going to lurk in the Top 5 (likely reach No. 1) for the next 4-5 years. The guy is a workhorse in a time when I don’t see a lot of workhorses, at least not among the younger guys.

Zverev is in that bunch. The German has all the tools, the size and talent but I’m not 100% convinced he’s willing to put the work in like a Thiem. Still, credit to him for beating Borna Coric and then coming from two sets down to deny Pablo Carreno Busta.


Both those guys are good players, but not at the Thiem level.

The Austrian is a tireless beast from the ground and he’s got a decent serve, good return. He has weapons and a lot of them.

Zverev has his own weapons. A powerful serve, a very good backhand, good forehand and excellent speed for a guy his size. His problem is and has been between the ears. David Ferrer is the latest coach to try to get through to him and for now, it seems to be working (though that Carreno Busta match might suggest otherwise).

Point is, Zverev is starting to blossom. Instead of racking up wins in Masters, he’s now doing it in Slams. And his game can beat anyone on any given day. Anyone!

In this series, Thiem leads 7-2. He’s won all three in Slams including a tight one at the Australian Open back in January.

This will be their 10th meeting, so they know each other well, or should.

The key is this match is the Zverev serve. That’s the biggest shot on the court. If Zverev can serve a high first serve percentage and serve big, he’ll win. With his size, a big serve followed by a big forehand to the open court, which Thiem will leave given he stands so far back, is money.

Zverev’s problem is his serve just hasn’t been there. Nor has his game been consistent. Thiem’s has. There just haven’t been any letdowns from Dominic this event (there was in Cincinnati/NYC!). And I think the experience of having played three Slam finals before will help.

That said, the pressure this time will be on Thiem to win. But I think he’ll be fine.

Like I said, Zverev struggled with guys like Coric, Carreno Busta, Adrian Mannarino and even Brandon Nakashima gave him trouble. You could make the case Coric should have beaten him and certainly, in the last round, the Spaniard. They didn’t and that’s got something to do with Zverev. So here he is.

Again, Zverev will need to serve really well and play aggressive – step in, take the ball early. He’s also played a lot of tennis, so this is new. After five months off, how fit is he? We’ll find out. We know Thiem is, though he does have some heel/foot issue.

But assuming Thiem is 100%, I think he rises to the occasion and after three failed attempts, he gets his first (and not last) Grand Slam title.
The Pick: Thiem in 3

Sure, why not! A guy who prefers the clay wins the US Open for a second straight year over a tall hard court player. Makes sense, I guess.


You Might Like:
Novak Djokovic v Dominic Thiem For The Australian Open Title, Who’s The Pick?
Dominic Thiem v Alexander Zverev Australian Open SF, Who’s The Pick? Djokovic-Federer Redux
Zverev v Carreno Busta, Thiem v Medvedev; US Open SF Picks And Pans
Roger Federer Faces Alexander Zverev For Spot In Halle Final; Dominic Thiem Gets Day Off
Rafael Nadal v Dominic Thiem For The French Open Title, Who’s The Pick?

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

10 Comments for Dominic Thiem v Alexander Zverev In The US Open Final, Who’s The Pick?

Van Persie Says:

CRAZY Thiem, Congrata, wow, so happy he won, finally 😁

Haha, they were both a bit afraid to win this 🙂

Did not ecpect Zverev to play that good, he had he chances, he coul dnot grab them


jatin Says:

What an incredible fight at the end.
Zverev has so many chances from being 2-0 and a break up and then serving for the championship at 5-3 5th set and somehow couldn’t get it done.
Thiem’s resilience was at full display today and he somehow did the impossible of coming back from such position.
Even in the 5th set he was almost down and out struggling to move and refrain from hitting top spin backhand at all.
But he just refused to lose today no matter how dire the circumstances were.

Bummer for zverev as he was incredibly close to winning it but happy for thiem to finally snap the losing streak from slam finals.

Overall a great 5th set with absolute slugfest from both sides to win.

Congratulations Thiem. A new Grand slam champion.


Van Persie Says:

Sascha is such a nice guy after all. Congrats for the finalist aswell🙂


chrisford1 Says:

So freaking proud of Dominic Thiem and how he refused to quit and die when Sasha came out playing out of his mind tennis.
Well earned!
Thiem showed the mental strength and athleticism that is the hallmark of the Big 3 and Andy when he was on his game. In fact, I think Thiem is now in the Big 3 as Federer recedes as he limits his points by limiting his playtime and tournament commitments.
And a Final that was a credit to the sport and both players. Well played, high quality, and there will be no asterisk on Thiem’s 1st Slam title.
And congrats to the USTA as well for 2 successful tournaments in the middle of Covid and “woke” violence and intimidation happening all over America.
Now I only hope that Thiem ends up in Rafa’s half for the French Open….or as Van Persie winkingly alluded to, that Thiem will be happy and satiated with his long sought title – and not try to kill himself to win on clay.


chrisford1 Says:

VP – Sasha, as well as Titsipas, Thiem, Medveded all come across as having fine character traits. They all play tennis worth watching.
And props to Zverev’s coach David Ferrer for helping improve Sasha’s game and his will to persevere and fight even further.
Happy for the future of tennis. None of those 4, or Kyrgios or Sinner if they show they should be part of the “worthy” conversation, may ever achieve what any of the Big 3 accomplished, but they sure are showing they will be worthy successors.
Now onto Rafa and Djokovic and great battles on clay in Italy and France.


Van Persie Says:

Totally agree, CF1, tennis is in good hands 😉

I will quote somebody from anothe forum, I do found it nice: Thiem, Zverev, Medvedev and Tsitsipas could be the Small4 😉… until they grow, of course


Van Persie Says:

Sorry for the many typos, but I am very tired after this epic match


Vince Says:

Congrats Theim! Very nervous and worried after he went down 2-0 quickly.. Great come back! Wish he had won AO as well against the faker.


Vince Says:

Vika was set down in semi to make a come back and won.. In final, she was set up and break up.. and lost

Zverev was 2 set down in semi and won.. and 2 set up and break up in final and lost


Truth Says:

Sasha choked horribly but he had no composure when facing a solid player. He felt sad too. so it bothered his game. If he wasn’t playing this year, he would’ve succeeded. Neither guy could serve very well so it was a trainwreck. Thiem had experience, patience and was much more positive, so he won.

Top story: Sinner Settles With WADA, Accepts 3-Month Ban, Won't Miss Rome, Won't Miss French Open
Most Recent story: Frustrated Nick Kyrgios Calls Sinner Ban A "Sad Day For Tennis"