Dominic Thiem scripted a fine comeback performance to
defeat former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka for a place in the second round of
Paris Masters.
Thiem saved a match point in the third set at 3-5
before rallying past Wawrinka 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the second round.
The thrilling match between two of the best one-handed
backhands in recent memory ended after two hours and 31 minutes of thrilling
play.
“It’s very nice to share a great and close match like
that with Stan because we have a history together of many great matches.
Obviously, he’s one of my big idols backhand wise,” Thiem was quoted as saying
by ATP.
While Thiem hit highlight-reel strokes throughout the
match, particularly with jaw-dropping passing shots, Wawrinka was the first to
come close to winning. The Swiss had a match point at 5-3, 40/30, but
double-faulted long. It was one of six double faults he committed during the
game.
Thiem took good advantage of the little opportunity,
returning to serve after Wawrinka’s forehand went long. In what became a battle
of wills, the Austrian broke again in his next return game and did not waste
his chance to win the match.
When Wawrinka’s final forehand return went long, Thiem
celebrated by holding his arms up and taking a big breath, a sign of how much
the moment meant to him. His first victory on a hard-court ATP Masters 1000
event since the 2019 Rolex Paris Masters.
“The last two years I have lost more close matches
than I have won, so this one is very, very important for me. The tennis has
been getting better since Vienna. I beat two great guys in the qualies and now
Stan in a match after saving match point, so it gives me a huge boost,” Thiem
added.
Thiem will next play defending champion Holger Rune.
The pair met earlier this year in Monte-Carlo, where the Dane prevailed in
straight sets.
ANI
