Thiem to play Monfils after suffering the fallout of Serena Williams’ beat-down by Sofia Kenin at the 2019 Roland Garros.
Serena William’s bid for the 24th slam fell short against the stubborn, never-miss-the-line, game of the Russian born compatriot Sofia Kenin, and the ugly fall-out of her loss was borne by Dominic Thiem who was asked to, accommodate an in-rush Serena and, move into a smaller room mid-way through his post-match interview.
Kenin aimed for the lines to secure the third round win over Serena.
The 20 years old Sofia, ranked 35 in the world, went for the lines and barely missed them in the third round 6-2, 7-5 beat-down of Serena. It was Serena’s earliest Slam defeat since Wimbledon 2014.
Serena acknowledged the high and aggressive level of play by Kenin and credited her for a well-deserved win. “”She played really well,” Williams said. “I feel like she, in that first set in particular, hit pretty much inches from the line. ‘I hadn’t played anyone like that in a long time. ‘She just played, literally, unbelievable. ‘She really went out there today and did great.”
Believe it. 👏
20-year-old @SofiaKenin halted Serena Williams’ bid for a 24th Slam on Saturday. #RG19
📝: https://t.co/iD8GAjID79 pic.twitter.com/SUt8AduSps
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2019
Thiem, however, was furious about being moved to a smaller interview room to make way for Serena.
Dominic Thiem’s post-match interview, after his third round 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 win over Pablo Cuevas, was interrupted midway and he was asked to continue in a smaller room to accommodate Serena who refused to wait for her post-match interview. Thiem was visibly annoyed and nearly furious at being kicked out of the larger, into smaller, interview room. “What the hell? ‘No, it’s a joke, really.” Thiem complained. “I have to leave the room because she’s coming?”
Thiem was coming off a tough four-set match against Pablo Cuevas.
Thiem was pushed into the fourth by the gritty Uruguayan on Suzanne-Lenglen. The Austrian is one of the favorites but struggling to find his top form at the event. “It was my best so far. ‘Not at all perfect yet. ‘He played well, especially in the beginning and then at the end of the match. ‘I had a very bad start, but then I played very well. ‘I was stupid to give the second set away like that, and then third and fourth was solid,” Thiem commented in his post match interview.
125 wins on the terre battue….@ThiemDomi tops off his third four-set match 6-3 4-6 6-2 7-5 over Pablo Cuevas.
🎾 https://t.co/x3CJSa2xO0#RG19 pic.twitter.com/skvXukPj0f
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2019
Thiem versus Monfils is expected to be a barn-burner.
Thiem now gets an in-form Monfils in the fourth. Gael Monfils, unlike, Dominic Thiem has not dropped a set in the tournament so far. He is playing great tennis and keeping the unforced in check. Their 5-0 head-to-head record in favor of Thiem is quite lopsided, but Gael is playing a brand of purposeful tennis not seen from him before. It will not be easy for Thiem to beat Monfils this time around.
Monfils felt good with the home court advantage in his favor, and acknowledged Thiem’s clay court credentials. “I feel good. ‘The next match is going be a tough one. ‘Obviously Dominic is in great form. ‘He’s one of the top three guys [with the] potential to win the tournament,” Monfils acknowledged. “Facing him in the fourth round won’t be easy, but as I said, I feel good. ‘I’m at home, so anything is possible. ‘So I’m just going to give a shot for this one.”
Smooth Sailing ⛵️
There are some who’ve made their path to the fourth round easier than others…#RG19 https://t.co/Cmaji1UMTr
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2019
We expect the Thiem versus Monfils match to be an edge of the seat barn-burner, and give Thiem a minuscule edge over Monfils.