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Thiem taught his 12-year older opponent a lesson

It took the young Austrian just 47 minutes to defeat the Czech, who had surprised everybody the previous day by defeating Monfils. Tsonga is experiencing problems with his knee and with fatigue as he is on a hunt to reach London, which is why he needs to win this tournament. He has never lost a match here in Vienna

The two Frenchmen are in a race for the final tournament that will be held in London. Gasquet plays in Moscow, while Tsonga plays in Vienna. Both of them have been clearly exhibiting signs of fatigue but they simply need those points and that is why they are playing this week. Just like Gasquet, Tsonga has also demonstrated the effects of fatigue in his first match. Having Brands as opponent would not qualify as a favorable draw but the German is much more dangerous in the first part of the season. 

The match started in unexpected manner. Both of the players held their service and the German was the first one to get a break-point chance. He didn't seize his opportunity and subsequently lost his service game at 5-5. Even though Tsonga had a one-set lead which allowed him to be more relaxed, he only won one game in the next set. Brands was at his best but he lost his service in the decisive set and that was enough for Tsonga. The Frenchman focused on his service game and held his service till the end of the match. 


- The first match is always hard and the most important things is that I progressed to the following round. I feel good on this court as I have never lost a match here - said Tsonga, who won the Vienna tournament two years ago, and added: 


- I just lost my service in the second set but I accepted it and decided to save energy for the third set. As far as my knee is concerned, it is not in best condition but I have to keep on playing if I want to get to London. And I definitely do. 


Thiem, Austria's biggest hope, had a difficult job in the first round but he was rewarded in the second. Instead of playing against Monfils or Matosevic, both of which are experienced players on this level, his opponent was a lucky loser. Jaroslav Pospisil had achieved a sensational win over Monfils after the Australian had forfeited. It was the best match of his career but the Frenchman is the only one to be blamed as he put in a poor performance. Thiem knew better than to miss out on that opportunity. 


The young Austrian probably couldn't have been happier when he saw the draw. He had convincingly defeated Pospisil three times so he entered the match brimming with confidence. He imposed his tennis from the very beginning and carried by the support from the bleachers he achieved his most convincing ATP win of his career and progressed to his second quarterfinal on this level. It took him only 47 minutes, an equivalent of one school period, to win this match as he granted no chances to his Czech opponent. 


- It was a difficult position to start from, given that I have never lost to Pospisil, which meant that expectations were high. It is not easy to be an overwhelming favorite to progress to an ATP quarterfinals. Luckily, it all turned out well and this was one of the best matches in my career - Thiem commented the match in which his service game lasted on average slightly over a minute-and-a half. 


The Austrian will now assume a completely different role. This time he is the total outsider, a position which can have its advantages. Now he has nothing to lose: 


- This is the first time that I play against such a high-ranked player. All his shots are very dangerous but I am highly motivated and I want to demonstrate my best tennis. 

Tsonga is chasing London here. He is tired, his knee is not at 100%, but he must play if he intends to get to the final tournament at the end of the season. He lost his serve in the second set vs Brands yesterday, and decided to keep his strength for the third one. These are his own words, as he is pacing himself, playing only as much as he needs to. Thiem is a young player, but with a serve speed of over 200 km/h and an offensive forehand. He can hold his serve, and has enough audacity not to be afraid of such an opportunity. For an indoors match-up like this, a +5.5 handicap is more than acceptable.