Dominic Thiem vs Alexander Zverev Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Australian Open

Prediction published on 29/01/2020, 13:34  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 29/01/2020 at 14:35 in ATP Australian Open Predictions

Dominic Thiem caused a massive shock when beating Rafael Nadal in the quarter final. This is a match between two players who have a lot to prove. Thiem is regarded as a clay court specialist, while Alexander Zverev has had success in plenty of tennis tournaments but not in Grand Slam events. This is the fifth time that Thiem has reached a Grand Slam semi-final but three of them has been at the French Open. Before this week, his only other Grand Slam quarter final had been at the 2018 US Open. Last year saw him lose to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final, the three other tournaments saw him win just one game. There have been signs of him showing he can be a title contender on other surfaces. He ended 2019 by reaching the final of the ATP Tour Finals and has followed up that good form in this championship. He's twice had to come from two sets to one down on his way to this semi-final but showed great form when beating the world number one in the last eight.

Despite being a top ten player for several years, Alexander Zverev has always struggled in Grand Slam events. The seventh seed had only previously reached a quarter final at the French Open and his best in Australia was making it to the fourth round last year. Finally he has started to show his true form in a top event and has only dropped one set in this tournament. That was in the quarter final when losing the first set to Stan Wawrinka 6-1. He can't afford to make a start like that in this semi-final. Thiem has the upperhand in previous matches between the two players leading 6-2. His most recent win came in the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals at the end of last year. Three of their last four meetings have been won by the Austrian and two of the last three on a hard court. Thiem can win this match to make it through to his first Australian Ooen final.

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