Dominic Thiem: It took my very best tennis and some luck to beat Roger Federer
Dominic Thiem says it took his very best tennis plus ‘a little bit of luck’ to beat Roger Federer for the second time running.
Thiem beat Federer in the final of Indian Wells earlier this year and he repeated that trick on Friday to dump the Swiss out of the Madrid Masters at the quarter-final stage.
He, though, was under no illusions over what it took to get the better of Federer again.
“I think I can hurt him with my strokes, especially on his backhand,” Thiem explained.
“Facing him always requires my absolute best game and also a little bit of luck, which I both had in Indian Wells and also here (in Madrid). That’s why I won these two matches.”
Thiem faces another huge test in the semis, with world number one Novak Djokovic in his sights.
However, he is excited about the challenge.
“He’s won the last three Slams and he is at the top of the ranking again. So the challenge couldn’t be bigger.” Thiem admitted.
“It’s, of course, a very tough tournament because I’ve only faced so good players and tomorrow is another one.
“So I’ll try to keep up my good momentum which I have now and give my best again.”
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