By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday April 10, 2023
Dominic Thiem produced his most impressive victory of 2023, taking out Richard Gasquet in straights in Monte-Carlo.
Photo Source: TTV
Dominic Thiem hasn’t dominated like this in quite some time…
The Austrian, perpetually searching for form since he returned to the tour after a six-month injury hiatus last year, has struggled out of the gate in 2023.
He entered Monday’s contest with Frenchman Richard Gasquet holding a 3-9 record, but he put his best foot forward on the red clay of Monte-Carlo, racing past Gasquet 6-1, 6-4 to set a second-round clash with sixth-seeded Holger Rune.
Thiem set the tone early, coming through a marathon second game, converting his eighth break point to lead 2-0.
“I played very well,” Thiem said. “Second game was crazy – 12,13 minutes I would guess – it was good for me that I broke him, I was ahead in the whole match and I am pleased with my performance in general. Richard’s in good form, and already won a tournament this year.”
From there Thiem was off to the races. He led 5-0 before the 36-year-old could grab a game.
In total, Thiem lashed 18 winners against 21 unforced errors, including ten off the forehand side, and he won 27 of 31 first-serve points and never faced a break point.
Thiem snaps a five-match losing streak at Masters 1000 events, notching his first win at a 1000 since 2021 in Rome.
The World No.106 will face Holger Rune in the second round.
“It’s important to get matches,” Thiem, who reached the quarterfinals lasat week at Estoril, said. “You only get them if you win. Last week was a very good step, got three matches under the belt, and here very nice to win a match – it’s the first win in a 1000 tournament in a long time. That feels special and I’m looking forward to the next one.”