MADRID (AP) – Looking fresh again after taking a few weeks off, U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem cruised into the third round of the Madrid Open with a comfortable 6-1, 6-3 win over American Marcos Giron on Tuesday.
Thiem was in control at the “Magic Box” center court in his first match since March. The fourth-ranked Austrian was coming off early-round losses in Doha and Dubai and felt he needed a break.
“For my game, I need 100% intensity and 100% energy,” the 27-year-old Thiem said. “I’m not the guy who can serve through a match or who can play with a little bit of intense and is still winning. I need 100% in every aspect of my game. I was just unable to put that on-court like in Doha, Dubai, or towards the end of the Australian Open, so it was better to take a break.” Thiem, the third seed in Madrid, hasn’t won a tournament since breaking through with his first grand slam title at the U.S. Open in September. “There was no anxiety, but I was uncertain how things would be going,” the two-time finalist in Madrid said.
He said his goal is to regain top form at the French Open.
“That’s where I want to be at the top of my game again,” he said. “Two weeks ago, I was unsure if I was playing here, so the expectations are still low. A win like today is already a big success because I get a chance to play another matchtop level, which will help me again for the next weeks.”
Thiem said he would likely be taking more time off in his career.
“Last year, the six-month break (because of the coronavirus pandemic), it felt so nice,” he said. “It’s something I consider, as well, to take a little bit more better off in the future. I think it’s a good thing to do, especially when you get a little older … The older you get, the more experienced you get; I think it’s good to take a break sometimes. For me, it helped.”
Thiem’s next opponent in Madrid will be Australian Alex De Minaur, who advanced after Lloyd Harris had to retire from their match. Sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev advanced to the third round by beating American Tommy Paul 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, while Kei Nishikori reached the second round by defeating Karen Khachanov 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2. Eighth-seeded Matteo Berrettini defeated Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-4 in an all-Italian second-round matchup, while Alexander Bublik beat 11th-seeded Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
title at the Estoril Open. Félix Auger-Aliassime fell 6-1, 6-4 to Casper Ruud. In the round of 16 of the women’s draw, third-seeded Simona Halep, a two-time Madrid champion, was upset by 13th-seeded Elise Mertens, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in a match lasting more than two and a half hours at the center court. Two Americans lost – Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-2, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat Jennifer Brady 7-5, 6-7 (8), 6-3.
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