“Other Three Are Forgotten Anyway” – Dominic Thiem on the Absence of Big 3 at US Open 2020

Dominic Thiem seems to be hitting his peak at the US Open 2020 at the perfect time. He will need all his strength and best form as he faces another title contender, Daniil Medvedev, in the semi-final. With so much at stake now, the otherwise quiet and calm Dominic Thiem has brought out his competitive side.

Thiem became the top favorite to win the event after Novak Djokovic‘s exit. However, he rubbished talk of the title run now being an easy road for him with the absence of Djokovic, along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He said that once he is on the court, other players are forgotten, and just the will to win remains.

“There’s no Roger, Rafa, Novak but there is Daniil, Sascha (Alexander Zverev), and Pablo (Carreno Busta) now. They’re three amazing players. Every single one of us deserves this first major title, everybody will give it all,” Dominic Thiem said during the media interaction after his win over Alex de Minaur on Wednesday.

“Once we step on the court, the other three are forgotten anyway,” he added.

Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev on par before semis clash

Thiem’s semi-final against Medvedev was one of the most anticipated matches when the draw was announced. Medvedev sealed his place in the semi-final with a hard-fought 7-6(6), 6-3, 7-6(5) win over countryman Andrey Rublev.

Both men will enter the match in excellent form, without any fitness concerns or fatigue. While Thiem has just dropped the solitary set against Marin Cilic in the fourth round, Medvedev is yet to drop a set in the tournament.

They are also the only players out of the four semi-finalists to have played Grand Slam finals in the past.

Thiem wary of Medvedev threat

Thiem expects a tough battle against Medvedev, who he believes is close to the endurance levels of the ‘Big 3’.

“I would say that he comes very close to the big three players, in terms that he can play his top level, doesn’t matter how long,” Thiem said.

He looks forward to the ‘big stage’ on Friday’s semi-final, despite the absence of fans.

“I think it’s going to be a big stage, even if it’s without fans. It’s going to be a great semi-final.”

Thiem made his first hard-court Major final at this year’s Australian Open, while Medvedev had lost to Nadal in a five-set thriller in last year’s US Open final.