ATP: Under the eye with violets: Thiem and Schwartzman win doubles in Buenos Aires

Ouch! That really hurt: In the run-up to the ATP tournament in Buenos Aires, Dominic Thiem accidentally gave his double partner Diego Schwartzman a black eye.

However, the incident did not have any negative effects on the opening match against Roman Jebavy and Jiri Vesely from the Czech Republic – the Austrian-Argentinean pairing won the match tiebreak.

The passionate Chelsea fan has already made sure that Dominic Thiem is a veritable footballer at numerous test matches with his own team, the 1. TFC Matzendorf, has been proven.

After a faux pas in the world-famous La Bonbonera stadium, home of the 32-time Argentine champion Boca Juniors, at least Diego Schwartzman may have some doubts about his buddy’s ball skills.

“Our friendship began years ago and now ends from his side,”joked Thiem after the accident:”We both went to the ball – he with his head and I with my knee. I hope he doesn’t pay me back in doubles.”

Physical assaults have not been handed down, the violet apparently even spurred the duo on: Thiem/Schwartzman prevailed against their Czech opponents with 3:6,6:2 and 10:3. In the quarter-finals, there could be a clash with Alexander Peya and Nikola Mektic, but the Austrian-Croatian combination would have to eliminate David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco.

Both want to get off to a flying start in the singles. While the sixth place in the world rankings on Wednesday, after a walk-through in round one, will meet either Horacio Zeballos or Marco Cecchinato, Schwartzman will face Andreas Haider-Maurer, Thiems compatriot, on Tuesday.