By Chris Oddo | Wednesday August 30, 2017
Dominic Thiem is happy to be under the radar in New York. The Austrian is considered a real threat on the red clay that he favors, but on the hardcourts of New York he has not been getting a lot of consideration as a favorite.
He’s just fine with that.
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“I think I'm not in the first row of the favorites,” the No.6 seed said on Wednesday after dispatching Alex de Minaur, 6-4 6-1, 6-1. “Of course maybe in the second, but I think there are more eyes on three, four, five other players. So I can play calm from the background.”
Maybe Thiem, who will face either Taylor Fritz or Marcos Baghdatis in the second round tomorrow, has a better chance than many realize in New York. The courts are playing slow and bouncing high, and that subtle change in the surface at New York could give Thiem an edge.
Thiem, who had his match suspended due to rain on Day 2, was happy with his form on Wednesday, and hopes he can build on his momentum on Thursday.
“It was pretty nervous start, but then it really got better, and I try to start off tomorrow like I finished yesterday and today,” he said.
Dimitrov, Berdych, Monfils Sail on Day 3
No.7-seeded Grigor Dimitrov made it six straight wins and 13 straight sets on Day 3. The Bulgarian knocked off Vaclav Safranek of the Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Dimitrov saved all four break points he faced and converted five breaks on 15 opportunities.
Over the course of his six-match winning streak Dimitrov has held in 65 of 66 service games.
Dimitrov will face either Andrey Rublev or Aljaz Bedene next.
No. 15-seeded Tomas Berdych eased past Ryan Harrison in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(4), while No.18-seeded Gael Monfils took down compatriot Jeremy Chardy, 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-4.
Berdych will face Alexandr Dolgopolov next.
Kyrgios, Fognini Upset
Nick Kyrgios struggled with a shoulder injury and fell in four sets. The Aussie, a runner-up at Cincinnati two weeks ago, did not get past the second round of a major this season.
Fognini fell to compatriot Stefano Travaglia, 6-5, 7-6(8), 3-6, 6-0.