2021 Australian Open Round of 16 – Dominic Thiem vs Grigor Dimitrov Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Dominic Thiem vs Grigor Dimitrov taking place? Melbourne Park, Melbourne
When is Dominic Thiem vs Grigor Dimitrov on and what time does it start? Sunday 14th February, 2021 – not before 04:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Dominic Thiem vs Grigor Dimitrov? Click here to reach the official 2021 Australian Open ticket selection
What channel is Dominic Thiem vs Grigor Dimitrov on? The 2021 Australian Open will be televised on Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedule for this specific match
Where can I stream Dominic Thiem vs Grigor Dimitrov in the UK? Sky customers can stream this match on the Sky Go app. Alternatively, the match can be streamed to subscribers of Eurosport Player, either on the official website or as an add-on to an Amazon Prime subscription
THE LOWDOWN
DOMINIC THIEM
- World number three Dominic Thiem put in an incredible performance against Nick Kyrgios on Friday, combatting the Aussie at his best, most erratic variety as well as the Gladiator-like atmosphere created by the crowd.
- US Open champion Thiem exhibited an elite mentality in the difficult conditions on Melbourne Arena, Nick Kyrgios’ spiritual home, including keeping focused after losing the second set via an underarm ace.
GRIGOR DIMITROV
- 18th-seed Grigor Dimitrov will be well-rested ahead of this round of 16 tie after his third round opponent Pablo Carreno Busta was forced to retire after losing the first set.
- Dimitrov leads a 3-2 head-to-head record over Dominic Thiem with his most recent win over the Austrian coming at the round of 16 stage of the 2019 Paris Masters, one of Dimitrov’s finest performances since his heyday.
THE PREDICTION
It is almost a shame for Thiem to see the next five days of the Australian Open played behind closed doors again just as he won the favour of a fair but Aussie-centric audience to his cause after beating their favourite Nick Kyrgios. The Austrian will have been well-supported in Melbourne from here on in and he will have to hope for their return on Thursday if he makes the semi-finals. Thiem is on the wrong end of a 3-2 head-to-head record with Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov but the pair have not played since late 2019 and Dominic Thiem has evolved into an elite-level player since then. Dimitrov has only played seven sets to reach this stage of the competition but over five sets he is likely to fall foul of his occasional concentration lapses. Thiem exhibited the complete opposite mentality in his last match with Kyrgios and whilst he will be feeling his legs in this round of 16 clash he is one of the fittest players on tour and should reach the quarter-finals in three, four or five here. Both to take a set in a win for Thiem looks a reasonable outcome.
