This post originally appeared on The Grandstand
Expert picks are back for a highly-anticipated U.S. Open semifinal between Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev on Friday night. A three-team panel previews the action and makes its predictions.
(3) Daniil Medvedev vs. (2) Dominic Thiem
Ricky: These two guys are aligning themselves to be the best players in the world whenever the Big 3 era comes to an end. The Big 3 were mostly absent in some way shape or form from the U.S. Open and both Thiem and Medvedev have risen to the occasion. The outcome of this blockbuster battle probably comes down to the surface and setting. Thiem would obviously dominate on clay and it would probably be an eyesore of a contest on grass. This one, however, will be outstanding. Thiem has suddenly become good on hard courts over the past two or three seasons. The problem for him is that Medvedev is great. The Russian’s 2019 run in New York was nothing short of epic (for several reasons!), so it’s clear that the stage is not too big for him. I think Thiem’s peak is higher than Medvedev’s, but I don’t see peak Thiem being on display for an entire best-of-five match against a such an effective counter-puncher and consistent ball-striker like Medvedev. In the end, last year’s runner-up will likely be too solid. Medvedev in 5: 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3.
Cheryl: Since the moment Djokovic got his walking papers, this is the match I’ve looked forward to the most and I can’t help but consider it the de facto final. Whether it makes good on its promises is a different matter altogether. Their previous matches haven’t exactly been barnburners, but the potential for a classic is there. Thiem is quick; he’s a shot-maker with a beauty of a one-hand backhand. In some ways, he’s a sort of a tennis player prototype. Medvedev is the opposite of a prototype. His game is unconventional by almost any standard. He doesn’t look like he’s quick, but he manages to be everywhere and seemingly all at once. He can switch lightning-fast from loopy, almost slow-motion forehands to stinging, clean winners. Current form would give the nod to Thiem, but I feel like the Russian might just squeak this one out in the end. Medvedev in 4: 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 7-5.
Pete Ziebron {Tennis Acumen}: This is most likely one of the best possible matchups of the tournament given who actually showed up to play the 2020 U.S. Open. Last year in Cincinnati, I was privileged to watch when Medvedev became MEDVEDEV–when he stormed past Djokovic in the semifinal, brilliantly going huge on second serves in the final two sets. After playing a boatload of exhibition matches prior to the ATP Tour resuming, Thiem fell flat and won just three games in his only match of the Western & Southern Open, causing several in the tennis world to question his preparation leading into the U.S. Open. The two players have combined to drop just one set through five rounds in New York. Medevdev takes another step in hoisting the hardware he came so close to winning last year. Medvedev in 4: 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3.