Dominic Thiem given Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic boost for Australian Open

Dominic Thiem has jumped up to No 4 in the world after reaching the final of the ATP Finals, meaning he won't face one of the 'Big Three' at the Australian Open.

Thiem went in to the ATP Finals not expected to get out of the group having been drawn alongside both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

But the diminutive Austrian shocked everyone with impressive wins over both to book his place in the semi-finals, where he defeated defending champion Alexander Zverev.

That win moved him ahead of Daniil Medvedev into fourth in the ATP rankings as the Russian failed to get out of the groups.

And former world No 1 Jim Courier has pointed out why that could be so significant for Thiem moving forward for 2020.

"That can protect him in the [Australian Open] draw," Courier said on the Tennis Channel.

"He won't have to play one of the big three there before the semi-finals.

"That's meaningful.

"There's pride there too. It's is highest finish at year-end and also contractual matters.

"A lot of times players will have ranking bonuses a year in and if you're ranked number four then you might get a little more cheddar than you would have had if you were number five in the world."

Thiem doesn't have a brilliant record at the Australian Open, having only reached no further than the fourth round.

But the 26-year-old has a relatively strong record against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

Against Federer, Thiem in fact has a winning record having only lost twice in seven meetings.

He has faced Nadal the most out of, with the Spaniard coming out on top nine times to Thiem's four, but the latter did win their match on his way to lifting the 2019 Barcelona Open.

Djokovic also holds a better overall record over Thiem, but the world No 4 has won their two previous meetings, including the semi-finals at the French Open.