Dominic Thiem made it into the round of 16 at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid on Wednesday evening. Federico Delbonis was beaten by the current world number seven 4:6, 6:3 and 7:5, but he was anything but satisfied with his performance, especially at the beginning of the game.
“I can throw the first set into the dustbin, it’s completely useless,” said Thiem after a tense game of two hours and 24 minutes.
Some misshits crept in in the first run, already in the fifth game Thiem let his frustration run free for the first time. A little later he had to take a 4-5 break, Delbonis fended off a break point and served for 6-4.
Only in the second run Thiem could bring his good training performances to the pitch. At 2-1, he took his serve off his opponent and forced a decisive set.
He was already leading 5:3, but could not escape at first. However, the 24-year-old did not miss another 6-5 break to secure a place in the round of 16.
“I didn’t bury my head in the sand after the 5:5 break, but got even better,” Thiem held fast, but he knew that “it still stutters a bit. “I’m obviously not pumped full of self-confidence, these victories are extremely important, I can build on that.”
However, the mixed first appearance in Madrid is of little concern to him. Colleagues like Sascha Zverev also often start into a tournament, Thiem said, because: “At the moment only Nadal drives over everyone.
In the round of 16 there will be a duel with the Croatian Borna Coric (from 4 pm in the LIVETICKER), the Jan-Lennard Struff in his 6:0, 6:2 victory left only two games “He plays really well. His result is impressive. If I start so badly again, I will lose, that is quite clear,” said Thiem.
The game is scheduled as the third after 12 o’clock, a time that Thiem is lying. Last year’s Madrid Open finalist had the same timing as any other top player.
In the event of another victory in the round of 16, last year’s final against Rafael Nadal would probably be repeated in the round of the last eight. “It would be very cool to play a game on Center Court against Nadal,” Thiem said, but said that it was still far away. “If I play like in the first movement, it will remain a dream.”
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