Thiem with a huge win, but give Zverev credit he played very well. It was only a matter of time before he figured out playing best of 5 matches and I'm confident he has given his run here in Australia. If he doesn't win a major in the next 2 years I will be shocked.
How much gas does Thiem have left is the question after playing for 7 hrs his last 2 matches while Djokovic has pretty much cruised the entire tournament. When Nadal won his only AO title he defeated Verdasco in a 5hr classic before taking out Fed in another 4 hr classic so it can be done. Poor Thiem he has made 3 finals in his career and they just happen to be against Nadal at the French twice and Djokovic at the AO. For an encore he now has to play Federer at Wimbledon to complete the hat trick of GOATs in their natural habitats.
If Thiem wins, he will move to world #3 and cement his status as one of the best players playing today and the first of the next gen to win a major.
If Djokovic wins he will win his 17th Grand Slam and will put him in great position to pass Federer's 20 Grand Slams. As well he will return to world #1 and have a great shot at beating Fed's record weeks at #1.
My prediction is Thiem in a 5 set classic that we will be talking about for years. I feel his one handed backhand will give Djokovic trouble much like Wawrinka's and Thiem can take confidence from beating Djokovic at the French and World Tour Finals last year.
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