US Open ATP Match of the Day: Dominic Thiem vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime

Most people believed Dominic Thiem would win his first major title at the French Open. But thanks to a shocking turn of events involving world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Thiem could be considered the favorite to win this years US Open. To accomplish that feat, he must first dispatch one of the game’s most promising young talents in Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Though Thiem has yet to make it past the quarterfinals in Flushing Meadows, he’s been rock-solid to start, dropping just one set thus far— to 2014 champion Maric Cilic— in his first three matches. Thiem will look to his prior Grand Slam experience for an advantage over the 20-year-old.

“Felix is a great player. No real weaknesses. Great to watch. Great athlete, great person,” said Thiem. “The only thing that he's missing is the experience. That's what I'm trying to play for my advantage. It's not my first second week at a Grand Slam, but it is his. That's probably my biggest advantage what I have in this match.”

Getty Images

After surviving a serious, 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6), scare against the clay-court specialist Thiago Monteiro, who owns just a 6-25 record on hard courts, the Canadian has caught fire. He’s dropped just 14 total games in his past two matches against Andy Murray and Corentin Moutet.

“Obviously Dominic has been getting stronger and stronger year after year,” said Auger-Aliassime. “You feel like step by step he's been reaching later stages of these tournaments, really becoming like a power in the tennis world.”

For FAA to pull off the upset he must try to rush Thiem to his backhand side. Thiem’s backhand is a work of art, but due to his lengthy stroke production, he would prefer time to wind up and take a full swing. If Auger-Aliassime can take his forehand early and down the line, he could take the Austrian out of his comfort zone.

It's a risky shot, but it’s one he will have to take to upset the world No. 3.

The Pick: Dominic Thiem