NEW YORK—The heat, humidity, hustle and bustle of New York City can overwhelm some players at the US Open.
Dominic Thiem embraces the extremes.
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After a slow start, Thiem went on a tear winning 17 of the last 22 games to defeat Ricardas Berankis, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, and burst into the US Open third round for the third straight year.
Thiem, who reached his first Grand Slam fourth round in his 2014 US Open debut, was bothered by a hip issue earlier this season, but says he's regained his fitness and form.
"Like now I can say I just played so many matches it was obvious at one point the body says it's enough now," Thiem said. "So I had the moment at Wimbledon and like a little bit after it and (the hip issue) carried it until maybe after Toronto a little bit into Cincinnati and then afterward everything went the right direction again. I had a really good break last week and then fitness went the right way my game went the right way and I'm pretty happy with it."
The youngest man in the Top 10 owns wins over Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer this season and reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros.
While players ranging from Fabio Fognini to Garbine Muguruza have discussed the challenges of Flushing Meadows this week, Thiem believes tough conditions can bring out the best in him.
"I really like the Grand Slam here," Thiem said. "It's always tough conditions. It's hot, it's humid but I kind of like it. It doesn't matter to me. I like to play in these tough conditions—I think that's one big advantage.
"And the surface is okay for me. It's a pretty high bounce. And then I just enjoy the combination of the great tournament, the great city so I'm always looking forward, the whole year, to come here."
Collecting four tournament titles this year, the 10th-ranked Thiem is tied with Andy Murray for second-most titles on the ATP Tour behind world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who has won seven.
Next up for Thiem is Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, who fought back from a two-set deficit to beat former quarterfinalist Janko Tipsarevic, 3-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.
The 39th-ranked Spaniard warmed up for Flushing Meadows winning his first career title on the hard court of Winston-Salem.
"I know him very well," Thiem said. "We played four times already. Once in a Futures, once in a Challenger and twice on the ATP Tour. Obviously he has a great run. He just won his first tournament on the same surface now he beat two very strong opponents.
"So he's in really, really good shape. So of course I hope that maybe he's a little tired, but it's gonna be a very tough match. I'm looking forward to it."
Photo credit: Zimbio