How US Open finalists Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev compare statistically

Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev will aim to anoint themselves as the leader of an overdue generation of men’s tennis talent when they clash in the US Open final on Sunday.
Shorn of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and in part due to the default of Novak Djokovic, the fringe contenders have been handed their chance and Thiem and Zverev have proved best-placed to answer the call.
We sift through the statistics to determine how the Austrian and the German compare.
Nearly men

Thiem is appearing his his fourth Grand Slam final, having been beaten by Nadal in the 2018 and 2019 French Opens, and by Djokovic at this year’s Australian Open – the latter two in five-set epics.
Zverev’s previous best Grand Slam performance was his run to this year’s Australian Open semi-finals – where coincidentally he was beaten by Thiem – although he did win the 2018 ATP Finals in London.
Advantage Austria

Unlike in his previous three Grand Slam finals, Thiem will start as favourite given he holds a 7-2 career record over Zverev, including victories in their last three meetings.
Prior to this year’s Australian Open semi-final, Thiem also got the better of his rival in last year’s ATP Finals, and in the 2018 French Open. Zverev has to go back to the 2018 Madrid Masters to find the last time he got the better of the Austrian.
Route to final

Zverev dropped a set in each of his first three matches, beating Kevin Anderson, Brandon Nakashima and Adrian Mannarino, before breezing past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the fourth round for the loss of just five games. He squeezed past Borna Coric in five in the quarter-finals before coming from two sets down to see off Pablo Carreno Busta in the last four.
Thiem, in complete contrast, has only dropped one set, against Croatian veteran Marin Cilic in round three, although he did require two tight tie-break sets to see off Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.
Semi stats

Consistency is the key to Thiem’s continued success, and he tends to leave the eye-catching elements to others. Despite winning all three sets of his semi-final, he trailed Medvedev on ace count and winners, but produced significantly fewer unforced errors. Zverev, meanwhile, bashed 24 aces and 71 winners to beat Carreno Busta, but allied that with a dismal second serve percentage and 57 unforced errors.
Style guide

In a final that pits Thiem’s thudding ground strokes and reliable backhand against Zverev’s imposing yet inconsistent serves, it is no surprise that the Austrian should start favourite. Everyone knows what they will get from Thiem, and while it might not be spectacular it is more than likely to prove enough against a player who has plainly struggled on serve – especially second serve – through the tournament, and yet tantalisingly, if and when he gets it working, can prove just about unbeatable.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer sends his fans into a frenzy with Twitter post ahead of his return to action
Roger Federer fans are counting down to his return to action in Doha next week and his tweet teasing his return instantly became a big hit.
-
Tennis News
Iga Swiatek’s perfect week as she claims her second WTA title
Iga Swiatek won her second career WTA title with victory over Belinda Bencic in the final of the Adelaide International.
-
News
Jamie Murray says quarantine threat on tour means players must be ready to adapt
The doubles specialist plans to travel to tournaments in Mexico and Miami next month without knowing what to expect on arrival.
-
Tennis News
Battle of the Brits event is back and this time with spectators
The Battle of the Brits events were a huge success during the Covid-19 crisis and now they are set to return with spectators.
-
Tennis Features
The only way is up for Naomi Osaka as she looks to replicate hard-court success on clay and grass
Oli Jefford on the world being Naomi Osaka’s oyster.
-
Kevin Palmer
Britain’s strength in depth in doubles highlights quality of structure
British tennis may be wondering who can replace Andy Murray, but they have a very different story to tell in the doubles arena.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal pulls out of his next event due to ‘ongoing’ back problem
Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the ABN…
-
Tennis News
Lleyton Hewitt to be inducted into International Tennis Hall Of Fame
Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt is the latest player who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
-
Tennis Features
Five of the best men’s matches at the Australian Open featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Rafael Nadal, and more
The matches that made us sit up and take note.
-
Australian Open
Five of the best women’s matches at Australian Open featuring Naomi Osaka vs Garbine Muguruza, and more
Five of the best women’s singles matches at the 2021 Aus Open.