“His Drop Shots Are Just From Another Planet” – Dominic Thiem Survives Five Set Thriller Against Hugo Gaston At French Open 2020

Dominic Thiem locked horns with France’s Hugo Gaston for the quarter-final place in the Philippe Chatrier court in the French Open 2020. In a five-setter marathon, Thiem had to work his way to claim the ticket to the next round. The scoreline read 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 6-3 in favor of the Austrian.

“I think it was an amazing match from both of us. His drop shots are just from another planet. He’s going to make a lot of joy in this stadium in the future”, Thiem stated on his opponent.

After the long match, Thiem needs some rest before he kicks off for the quarterfinals.

‘It’s all about recovery now. I had tough last weeks and today was 3.5 hours with lots of sprints and running. So try to use the time well, day off, recover the body as good as I can’, Thiem said.

Dominic Thiem had the first set with ease

The first set began with Gaston going to serve first. The game proceeded pretty casually with both the players winning 3 games each. The first blood was drawn by Dominic Thiem who broke Gaston’s service to lead 4-3. Thiem successfully held his service to lead 5-3 in the game.

Gaston came back to the game holding his service to reduce the lead. However, Thiem served for the set and took the set comfortably with 6 games to 4.

The Austrian took the second as well

In the second set, Thiem broke Gaston’s service early to gain the advantage. Both the players were tied with two games each after four games of the second set. Breaking the service of the Frenchman, Thiem set off to a lead before holding his service to extend the scoreline to 4-2. Both the players held on to their next couple of services. Thiem took the second set as well repeating the scoreline of the first set.

Gaston made a spectacular comeback

Hugo Gaston was down by two sets. However, he wasn’t going away without giving a proper fight. Thiem was looking comfortable with the lead, however, he was not aware of what was coming from his opponent now. The third set was underway and each one of them took a game each to level the scores 1-1. Gaston went ahead to clinch another game with his service to lead 2-1 before breaking Thiem’s service to gain a considerable lead in the game.

Thiem came back with an answer to break the Frenchman’s service and went on to hold his service to draw the scores level at 3-3. Holding on to their next couple of services, the score crept to 5 games each. Thiem was two games away from victory but Gaston was forcing him to commit mistakes.

Gaston held his service to step into the lead. Thiem needed to hold on to his service to stay in the set. However, Gaston broke his service and walked away with the set 7-5.

Gaston was on a roll as he equalized

Hugo Gaston and Thiem shared a game each at the start of the fourth set. Gaston went on to lead with his service and stretched the lead by breaking Thiem’s service. He was leading 3 games to 1 and had the service on his side. Taking full advantage of it, he went 4-1 up in no time.

Dominic Thiem was in the backfoot for the first time in the match. However, he spared the blushes by holding to his services. Although he was unable to break Gaston’s service. Sailing with the initial advantage, Gaston went on to take the fourth set 6-3.

The deciding set was won by Dominic Thiem

With two sets each, the game was drawing into the final set. The game was swaying upon a pendulum changing its course with every passing game. The first six games were equally shared between the players. The scores were tied 3-3 and no player was able to get the needed break.

It was the Austrian who went on to draw the blood once again. He held on to his service to get 4-3 up against his opponent before breaking Gaston’s service to go two games up. Dominic Thiem was serving for the win and victory was lurking nearby. However, he had to wait as the Frenchman kept hanging till the very end to stretch Thiem for a win after a handful of deuces.