Dominic Thiem secures victory in his first US Open match since the 2020 final, ending a streak of seven consecutive Slam losses.
NEW YORK—Alexander Bublik's fast-paced game took an even quicker turn.
Known for his speedy serves, both first and second, the US Open's 25th seed found himself in a tough spot against Dominic Thiem, falling behind by two sets. Despite his aggressive style, Bublik's performance was less than stellar. He even hit four double faults right after taking the balls (and smashing his Tecnifibre racquet twice on the Grandstand court).
While Bublik struggled, Thiem had a successful and relieving day. Since his victory in the 2020 tournament, the Austrian had faced a series of injuries and hadn't won a single match at Flushing Meadows. His last seven matches in major tournaments ended in defeat. His only wins during that time were at the subsequent Australian Open, where he reached the fourth round.
Thiem, who is approaching his 30th birthday, credited Bublik's 44 unforced errors in the one-hour-and-52-minute match for his victory, which ended with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Despite his injuries, Thiem displayed enough consistency, unlike his previous form before getting sidelined.
Although not as automatic as before, Thiem faced a hiccup during a service game at 5-2, failing to serve out the match. However, he regained composure with a comfortable hold two games later, concluding with a crosscourt forehand winner and a fist pump to the enthusiastic crowd.
Supported by a lively audience, Thiem, a crowd favorite, aims to begin a new chapter in his career that matches the peak of his first one. Reflecting on his journey, Thiem mentioned his significant wrist injury, which heavily affected his game. He dropped to the 352nd spot in the rankings but has since made a comeback.
Thiem expressed his hope for a successful tournament in New York City, recalling the past victory that occurred without a cheering crowd due to the pandemic. He aspires to harness the energy of the crowd for another impressive run.