Thiem Cruises Into 3rd Round at Madrid Open

Date: 05 May 2021 - 20:32

News ID: ۸۹۹۱۳

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 from the start at the "Magic Box” center court in what was his first match since March. The fourth-ranked Austrian was coming off early round losses in Doha and Dubai and felt like 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 intensity and is still winning. I need 100% in every aspect of my game. I was just not able to put that on court like in Doha, Dubai or towards the end of the Australian Open, so that’s why 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 definitely I was uncertain how things will be going,” the two-time finalist in Madrid said.
He said his goal is to be back in 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 not sure if I’m playing here, so the expectations are still super low. A win like today is already a big success, because I get a chance to play another match in a top level, so that will help me again for the next weeks.”
Thiem said he will likely be taking more time off going forward in his career.