Djokovic, first finalist of the Mutua Madrid Open after beating Thiem

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Novak Djokovic has slipped into the final of the Mutua Madrid Open after beating Dominic Thiem on the Manolo Santana track of the Caja Mágica. The Serbian took the first set in the tie break, same outcome as in the second set. The number 1 of the ATP wants to reign in the capital of Spain.

It will be the third final for Nole at the Mutua Madrid Open. In two hours and 22 minutes he left KO to the Austrian tennis player for 7-6 (2) and 7-6 (4). A great battle from the back of the court, in which the current world number one, who was down 3-1 in the first set and 4-2 in the second, showed his great mental strength.

Djokovic, champion of this tournament in 2011 and 2016, will play his first final of the year on Sunday, after winning the 15th Grand Slam of his career in Australia in January. It was the sixth semifinal in Madrid of Djokovic, the 64 of a Masters 1,000, and now he will fight in his final 48 of these prestigious tournaments, of which he has won 32 and lost 15.

For Thiem it was the third time he had reached the semifinals in the Magic Box, with two finals lost in recent years. He had arrived in Madrid with his first title in this category, in Indian Wells, where he beat Roger Federer in the final, and was Rafa Nadal's executioner in Barcelona, where he became champion.

The rest after canceling his rival in quarters, the Croatian Marin Cilic, by a food sickness, sat well with Djokovic who jumped to the track fresh, physically and mentally, ready for battle and with the desire to make up for the last two defeats against Thiem, at Roland Garros 2017 and in Monte Carlo last year.

Thiem, on the other hand, had to fight for two hours and ten minutes, and in the sun, this Friday, and save two match points against the Swiss Roger Federer, and also competes in the doubles box, where he has also arrived. to the semifinals along with the Argentine Diego Schwartzman.

In his legs he had eight individual matches in a row, five of his victory in the Conde de Godó and three of Madrid until the duel against Djokovic, and although he has an extraordinary strength, he ended up with his mouth open, facing the demand of the Serbian

Key in the game was the integrity of Nole, who was down 3-1 in the first set to force then the jump-off, where he immediately took advantage to dominate this short game by 7-2 and get the first set after 64 minutes , and then raise his fist as if he had won the match.

It did not matter that chair judge Nacho Forcadell warned him twice for his delay in serving. Djokovic maintained his strength before the power of Thiem, both right and back, stretching on the track and accepting that the Austrian was superior at times.

Thiem misses his opportunities

In the second set, and earning extraordinary points on a strength basis, Thiem placed himself with a 4-2 lead, but again the number one in the world brought out his caste and took full advantage of his options to break twice in a row, when the Austrian's serve lagged.

Djokovic came out to win the game with 6-5 but his service failed at that crucial moment, delivering him with his first double fault. In the tiebreaker it was Thiem who failed again, letting again escape a great opportunity.