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Thiem believes he can rematch Gimeno

The young Austrian was criticized because he rejected playing in the Davis Cup because of the money, but that did not affect his game, on the contrary. He lost to Gimeno in the first ATP match two years ago, but he believes he has greater chances in indoors

This week we had Gabashvili, who promised to play the next Davis Cup match to get an invite to the tournament in Moscow. Thiem did not have to promise anything for his invitations, and got many chances on local tournaments. He beat Muster here, which was his first ATP win and also the last match in the career of the best Austrian player in history. Last year he beat Lack in Vienna, and this year came to the quarter-finals in Kitzbuhel. So, all ATP success happened on local tournaments thanks to the wild cards.

That is why the rage of the media and his colleagues from the national team made him decide not to play in the Davis Cup. The reason is money, as the selector for the Austrian Davis Cup team said:

- In Davis Cup, every player has a standard contract, but Thiem's coach wanted special money for performing. For me that is the wrong approach, because playing for the national team is about honor. Money shouldn't be the main thing. The association decided they wouldn't pay the players special amounts, so his performance will take place during better days.

Let us be clear, paying is a normal thing in Davis Cup, but it is rare that young players ask for money. Most of them would be overjoyed when they get a chance to play, and recently Carreno-Busta cancelled a challenger to only be able to practice with the Spanish national team. It was an honor. The young Austrian did not mind the negative comments and criticism because he won his first challenger a month ago.

- I'm ready for this tournament. It would be awesome to pass the first round and I hope i will. I already showed that here in Kitzbuhel, so my win wouldn't be surprising anymore - said the former best junior of the World before another home match.

Gimeno has no reason to celebrate going indoors. The Spaniard is not a typical clay-player, because he relies on the serves and forehand and plays aggressively. However, he does not fare really well on hard surfaces so he had no success on such courts for years. Last year he played in the semi-finals in St. Petersburg, but it is the slowest indoor court on the Tour. If we count that out, then the statistics are very clear and there is not much hope for him right before the match in Vienna.

The Spaniard won two challengers on clay with only one lost set. He was especially dominant in Madrid, where he has been playing the best, even on the ATP level. Greater altitude is good for him, whereas indoors the ball stays low. In that situation also, his somewhat poor backhand is noticeable. Thiem is probably counting on that:

- I lost to Gimeno two years ago in my first ATP match. He has a brilliant forehand with a heavy spin, but that is not so noticeable indoors. Nonetheless, I know it won't be easy, especially because I know he can serve well.

Gimeno made a mistake coming to Vienna because the Moscow conditions would have suited him better. Thiem described his game very well and I think he is completely right. Two years ago, when they played for the first time, the Austrian was just a junior. He was already then better in ball changes on backhand. Now he has far more experience, and he has shown on the challengers that he can go all the way. He's physically stronger, which was before his greatest flaw, and what's most important, he uses chances like this one. Last year he won against Lack, a year before against Muster, and this year he reached the quarter-finals in Kitzbuhel. He's one of those who are motivated by home court, not put down by it. Gimeno returned from his mini Asian tour. He scored two easy defeats, lost indoors before that since the permanently-injured Zopp, and I think the Austrian is physically, mentally, and game-wise ready to win. In these conditions he has a better game than the Spaniard who will have trouble with low balls. His backhand is a weak spot - Thiem knows that and he should make use of it.