Dominic Thiem will take on the clay court genius Nadal on Sunday in a clash that will rightfully bring together two of the best clay court players in the world together.
It promises to be a treat for the clay-court romantic, who can expect long baseline exchanges and some very skillful hitting on part of both the players.
Nadal will be vying for that record 11th Roland Garros title whilst Thiem would be looking for his first.
Thiem might have the support of all Djokovic and Federer fans as they would be hoping for an end to Nadal’s domination in Paris.
And they will be buoyed by the fact that Thiem has a set plan in place for Nadal. Also, the fact that Thiem has already beaten him on clay once will help him find his feet early on in the final. Because when you are playing Nadal at the Philipe Chatrier, you are bound to feel those nerves.
“He’s a big favourite against everybody.
“Still, I know how to play against him. I have a plan. If it’s going to be him on Sunday, I will try everything that my plan also going to work out a little bit here and not only in Madrid or in Rome. If I want to beat him, I have to play that way like I did in Rome and in Madrid.
“But I’m also aware that here it’s tougher. He likes the conditions more here than in Madrid, for sure. Best of five is also different story. I think also a good thing is that I faced him already twice here.
“Of course there is pressure especially in Grand Slam finals, because I went a very long way now and I don’t want to lose the finals; otherwise, it’s not a very nice feeling.
“But on the other hand, it’s so tough to go all the way in such a tournament. I think if I’m facing Rafa, I’m not the one who has the pressure (smiling)” Thiem said.
Thiem will be up against it against Nadal, but at least he won’t be up against his own nerves.
