Dominic Thiem says he feels like he is playing better today than in the second half of the 2022 season when he was winning games. After being out for 10 months with a wrist injury, Thiem made his long-awaited return in March 2022.
Thiem lost his first seven matches after his return, but reached three ATP semi-finals and a Challenger final during the second half of the 2022 season. After starting the 2023 season with a record of 1 win and 8 losses, Thiem picked up his second win of the season beating Sebastian Ofner 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the first round of Estoril.
Thiem made an interesting observation after the match and also revealed that his goal was to reach the main draw at Roland Garros. “I’m playing much better than in the second half of 2022when I was winning matches.
My ball is heavier, I can hurt my opponents. It’s just that some things don’t work the way I want. I hope this win (and this week) is the start of something positive,” Thiem said, per Jose Morgado.
Thiem. “I’m actually playing much better than in the second half of 2022 when I was winning matches. My ball is heavier, I can hurt opponents. Just some things aren’t clicking as I want. I hope this win (and week) is the start of something”.
Says the goal is to qualify for RG. — José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 4, 2023
Thiem bounces back to beat Ofner
Thiem had a very slow start to the match, with Ofner managing to break early and take a 3-0 lead.
In game six, Ofner scored his second break to take a 5-1 lead. However, Thiem refused to give up and salvaged a break in game seven and served in game eight to reduce the deficit to 5-3.
Thiem got four break points in the ninth game but failed to convert them and Ofner managed to serve for the first set. After winning the first set, Ofner also broke Thiem in the very first game of the second set.
Luckily for Thiem, he was able to react quickly by breaking Ofner in games two and four to close the deficit and send the game into a deciding set. Thiem started the third set with a comeback and a 3-0 lead.
Ofner managed to regain a break in the fourth game, but could not regain the second break and Thiem served for the match in the 10th game.
