Austria’s tennis star, who is ending his career after this season, was drawn against the current number 13 in the world on Thursday at the site of his greatest triumph. Thiem had to give up against Shelton last year due to stomach cramps. Austria’s number one, Sebastian Ofner, will play against the Argentinian world number 26 Francisco Cerundolo in the opening match.
Julia Grabher will face an as yet unknown qualifier in the first round in the New York district of Queens. The Vorarlberg native completes Austria’s tennis faction in the main draw of the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. Jurij Rodionov was defeated at the last qualifying hurdle by Kyrian Jacquet (FRA) 6:7(6),1:6.
Thiem only won one match at ATP level this year
Thiem will face Shelton again. The 21-year-old American has a 30-19 record this season, while Thiem has only won one match at ATP Tour level. Receiving a wildcard can be seen as a final “thank you” from the organizers, as the Lower Austrian, who has now fallen to 210th place in the world rankings, won his first and only Grand Slam title in 2020 in a high-class final in five sets against Alexander Zverev.
In the event of an upset, Thiem would face the winner of the pairing Luca Nardi (ITA) against Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP). Grabher could face Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, and Ofner could face Zverev in the third round.
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