France’s Macary excels in QMA Challenge at Losail PAGE 14 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 Djok TH vic’s Novak outlasts Austria’s Dominic Thiem during a press conference after losing to Thiem Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday. (AFP) to clinch W NDER Thiem says Big record 8 Three breakthrough eighth Definitely my favourite Australian court, my favourite stadium in the world not far away Open title and I’m blessed to hold AFP While the slower clay has this trophy once again. MELBOURNE always been his preferred AFP surface, beating Federer in MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic DOMINIC Thiem said there are the Indian Wells final last only “small details” between year was a turning point for NOVAK Djokovic battled himself and tennis’s Big Three the Austrian on hardcourts. through a five-set thriller with and he’s convinced a break- He said he had taken a lot Dominic Thiem to maintain through is imminent after los- from the Australian Open. his dominance at the Austral- ing the Australian Open final “I didn’t have easy match- ian Open on Sunday, claiming Sunday to Novak Djokovic. es, especially from the quar- a record eighth title and re- The courageous Austrian ters on. Beating Rafa in over turning to world number one enjoyed his best ever tourna- four hours (in the last eight), in the process. ment at Melbourne Park, taking then two days later going The indomitable Serb down four seeds, including Ra- back out again against Sascha stretched his unbeaten streak fael Nadal, to reach the decider. (Zverev),” he said. this season to 13 but he had He looked on track for a to rally from two sets to one maiden Grand Slam title af- down to beat the courageous ter going two sets to one in fifth-seeded Austrian 6-4, 4-6, front, but the experienced 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a nearly four- Serbian star staged a gutsy hour marathon. comeback to leave him emp- It was his 17th Grand Slam ty-handed once again after title, moving him within two of losing the last two French Rafael Nadal and three of Rog- Open finals to Nadal. er Federer on the all-time list. Despite this, the 26-year- “Definitely my favourite old was encouraged at how court, my favourite stadium in close he and others, notably Da- the world and I’m blessed to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy after beating Austria’s Dominic Thiem in their men’s singles final of niil Medvedev and Alexander hold this trophy once again,” the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday. Djokovic won 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. (AFP) Zverev, now are to challenging said Djokovic. the all-conquering Djokovic, Victory put him alongside Nerveless start sending down his first double jected and was immediately Nadal and Roger Federer. his fellow legends as only the The Serb, 32, was the over- fault of the match at the cru- broken twice in set three as “I think it’s only small de- Small details third man in history to win whelming favourite, but the cial moment. Thiem raced to a 4-0 lead, tails. In the last two finals – US eight or more titles at the supremely fit and fast Thiem, Remarkably, a rare Djoko- having won six games in a row Open and here – it was really I think it’s only small same Slam after Nadal (12 at 26, always had the weapons vic double fault handed Thiem with Djokovic imploding. close. It could have gone either details. In the last two the French Open) and Federer to trouble him, which he de- Serbian’s 17 a break to go 2-1 up in set two The Serb was heard telling way for Daniil in US Open finals – US Open and (eight at Wimbledon). ployed successfully for much with the courageous Austrian a trainer he was tired and after (against Nadal) and for me here – it was really close. It also ensured he will once of the match, taming his serve Grand Slam refusing to go away. losing the set, he went for a here,” he said, referring to Med- again be world number one and unleashing some explosive The Serb was getting frus- medical timeout. vedev’s five-setter with Nadal at It could have gone either when the new rankings are groundstrokes. titles trated, looking at his coaching He came back and the Flushing Meadows. way for Daniil (Medvedev) released on Monday, usurping It was a nerveless start box and pointing at his head. fourth set went with serve un- “It takes nothing more than in US Open (against Nadal. Federer remains third from Djokovic, who comfort- Novak Djokovic’s 17th Grand He refocused and once til a Thiem double fault handed just little bit of luck, little details with Thiem moving up a place ably held then put big pressure Slam title at the Australian again began attacking the the Serb two break points and here and there.” Rafael Nadal) and for me to a career-high fourth. on the Austrian’s serve, with Open on Sunday puts him just Thiem serve, breaking back he converted to regain control, “Maybe if I converted the here. It takes nothing But it wasn’t easy with a forehand into the net giving for 4-4, pumping his fists serving out the set with an ace. break point in the fourth set, three behind the record 20 more than just little bit of the Serb looking lethargic him an immediate break and a when the fifth seed sent a Djokovic drew on all his maybe I’m sitting here as a luck, little details here and out for the count in sets psychological edge after some from Roger Federer, and two backhand wide. experience to force another winner. It just takes hard two and three before regain- monster rallies. behind the 19 of Rafael Nadal. But two time warnings on break in the deciding fifth set work,” he added. and there. ing his mojo after a medical Thiem, though, is as Following is a breakdown of his his serve in the next game rat- to take a 2-1 lead and kept “Me and also the other – Dominic Thiem timeout to grind down the strong mentally as he is physi- tled Djokovic and he was bro- his foot on the gas to claim an young players have definitely talented Thiem. cally and he finally got on titles at the majors: ken again, with the Serb losing eighth crown from the last 13 the potential to win a Slam.” Djokovic had never before the scoreboard after another his cool by patting the umpire’s Australian Opens. Thiem came into his first fi- “Unbelievably intense, won a Slam final in seven pre- tough service game. Australian Open (8): 2008, foot at the changeover and tell- “It wasn’t meant to be to- nal at Melbourne Park a much close match. Then two days vious attempts when finding And against the run of play, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, ing the official: “Great job... you night,” Djokovic told Thiem. improved hardcourt player later going out again against himself two sets to one down. with Djokovic seemingly in con- made yourself famous.” “Tough luck. It was a tough from 12 months ago and is now Novak, who won the most ti- “You and two other guys trol, he broke back, unleash- 2016, 2019, 2020 match. But you were very close rightly regarded as one of the tles here and again played on (Nadal and Federer) brought ing pinpoint groundstrokes to French Open (1): 2016 ‘Tough luck’ to winning it. most dangerous on tour. a very high level. men’s tennis to another level. make the most of some loose Wimbledon (5): 2011, 2014, With Djokovic still looking “You know, you definitely He is supremely fit and “I’m very aware and sure I am happy I can compete in Djokovic shots. distracted, Thiem served out have a lot more time in your regarded as one of the fastest now that I can play on a very these times,” said Thiem. But the world number two 2015, 2018, 2019 the set – the first the Serb had career and I’m sure that you movers on court, with a one- high level for a full Grand Slam “I fell short today but I was unrelenting, breaking US Open (3): 2011, 2015, dropped in an Australian Open will get one of the Grand Slam handed backhand that gener- ... it makes me very confident hope soon I can compete with again as Thiem served to stay 2018 final since 2015. trophies. And more. More ates heavy spin and a power- for the next big tournaments you again.” in the set, with the Austrian Djokovic appeared de- than one.” packed forehand. which are coming up.” ‘I came from nothing’ – Novak says tough childhood made him a fighter AFP to keep winning in pressure good. I didn’t know what the place to a career-high fourth. MELBOURNE situations, Djokovic said it next moment brings. I was try- It also moved him along- stemmed from his early life. ing to keep myself alive men- side Nadal (12 at the French ALL-CONQUERING Novak “My upbringing was in tally as well, and emotionally,” Open) and Federer (eight at Djokovic Sunday said a turbu- Serbia during several wars he said. Wimbledon) as only the third lent childhood where he had during the ‘90s, difficult time, “I was a bit shocked that I man ever to win eight or more to queue for milk and bread in embargo in our country where did feel that way because eve- titles at the same Slam.