Matchups We Want To See In Canada

Dominic Thiem vs. Novak Djokovic

Apr 1, 2015; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Dominic Thiem hits a forehand against Andy Murray (not pictured) on day ten of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Murray won 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Meeting: Quarterfinal

Okay, so I may have been a little hasty referring to Nick Kyrgios as the hottest young player in tennis: if Dominic Thiem has anything to say about it, that is.

The Austrian was on a tear throughout July, claiming two titles in consecutive weeks, and reaching the semifinal of his home tournament. He also rose to a career high ranking of no. 17. In fact, the only thing more startling than his quick rise inside the top 20 is his new hair colour.

Described as the next Stan Wawrinka, Thiem possesses a stunning one-handed backhand and aggressive groundstrokes that push his opponents behind the baseline into defensive positions.

With a game like that of the Swiss grand slam champion’s, the young Austrian could well be one of the few capable of playing spoiler to the world’s best players, including no. 1 (and Thiem fan) Novak Djokovic.

A Thiem-Djokovic meeting in Canada would take place in the quarterfinals. As an unseeded player, Thiem is certainly not the favourite to progress to that stage of the tournament, with Tomas Berdych potentially standing in his way.

Djokovic claimed victory in straight sets the last (and only) time these two met, although Thiem hardly suffered an obliteration at the number one’s hands, falling 6-4, 6-3. That was in Shanghai last year, where Thiem wasn’t playing the quality tennis he is now.

His rise over the past few weeks and months has been nothing but rapid, and what better way to examine where his game is at than against Djokovic?

(Premature) Prediction: Djokovic in 2.

Next: Serena vs Venus