Updates: Djokovic Wins First Set Against Thiem

Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic leads fifth seed Dominic Thiem 6-4 on Sunday in the Australian Open final. If Djokovic captures his 17th Grand Slam championship crown he guarantees his return to No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on Monday.

Thiem has won four of their past five ATP Head2Head meetings against Djokovic, who is appearing in his 26th major final (16-9). Thiem has finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019.

Go Inside The Final With Infosys MatchBeats

First Set
Second seed Djokovic settled quickly and immediately put Thiem under pressure in the Austrian’s first service game, which lasted seven minutes and ended with Thiem hitting a forehand into net. Thiem finally settled his early nerves with a hold for 1-3, but was unable to penetrate Djokovic’s serve, as the Serbian won 12 of 15 service points through three holds. As Djokovic continued to take away time from Thiem, the fifth seed dug deep and was handed his first break in seventh game because of a backhand error.

Djokovic didn’t appear to suffer because of the setback, although Thiem came up with a drive volley forehand volley to save a break point at 3-4. At 5-4, 30/30, Thiem’s technique on a low forehand approach let him down and handed Djokovic a first set point, which the Serbian defended hard for, but ultimately let slip with a forehand long. At the second time of asking, Djokovic landed a big blow, wrapping up the 53-minute opener when Thiem hit his first double fault. The Austrian had been taken to Deuce in all five of his service games.