Dominic Thiem destroyed defending Champion Novak Djokovic in a marvelous French Open on Wednesday. This was a big blow to Djokovic’s career this was a major loss in four years and comes just 12 months after he completed the career Grand Slam in Paris.
Novak lost in the first straight sets. He suffered a first 6-0 ‘bagel’ at a Slam since the 2005 US Open while the defeat will also see him slip out of the world’s top two for the first time in six years.
“It’s a dream to beat Novak for the first time and reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros again,” said Thiem, who was beaten by Djokovic in straight sets in the semi-finals in Paris in 2016.
It was Thiem’s first win over the Serb in six meetings.
“It was tricky today, it was windy and cold. It was important to move well and hit clean.”
Thiem trails Nadal 4-2 in career meetings but remains the only man to beat the Spaniard on clay this year after winning in the Rome quarter-finals.
“It’s always difficult the deeper you go in the draw — it won’t be any easier on Friday.”
The world number two had demolished Thiem for the loss of just one game in Rome in April.
But the 23-year-old Austrian was by far the more composed in the tricky cool conditions on Court Suzanne Lenglen. He wrapped up the set in the ninth game with Djokovic managing just five winners.
The Serb was on the ropes and was broken in the first game of the third set as Thiem edged closer to avenging his semi-final loss last year.
The set was over in 20 minutes with Djokovic having won just eight points, leaving the court with plenty to ponder ahead of Wimbledon next month.
Theim will face nine-time champion Rafael Nadal in the semi finals.
