ATP Masters Rome: Dominic Thiem fights great - but is defeated by Fabio Fognini in round 1
Dominic Thiem has to wait for his first win after his comeback: At the Masters tournament in Rome he lost to Fabio Fognini at the start - it was the fifth defeat in the fifth match after his return to the tour.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: May 09, 2022, 09:08 pm
The chances were there, but in the end Dominic Thiem had to congratulate the opponent again: 4: 6, 6: 7 (5) from his point of view against local hero Fabio Fognini. For whom he made life damn difficult, especially towards the end. And revealed significant improvements on the forehand, which was so shaky recently.
Thiem was closer to the break for almost the entire first round, had a chance at 1-0, two more opportunities at 2-1, but in the end it was Fabio Fognini who took the serve from Thiem to make it 5-4 and served it - left it here too Thiem are in the first points.
In the second sentence, a similar picture at first. Thiem with the chance to make it 2-0, but Fogini still broke to make it 4-3, supported by unnecessary mistakes by Lichtenwörther. At 4: 5, however, Thiem showed all fighter qualities again: Fognini fended off a first break chance with two ultra-long rescue actions (and then a wonderful backhand along the line), a second confidently with a smash, but Thiem was finally successful with the third - the first Break at break chance number seven (Fognini had used two of his three opportunities to date).
In the tie-break then Fognini with the 4: 2, but Thiem provoked a 5: 5. Then: a forehand passing ball after an optimistic attack by Fognini just a millimeter wide. And with the match point again a forehand just off the line. Game, set, match for the Italian.
Fognini is in the second round at the home game in Rome, where he meets the winner of the game between compatriot Jannik Sinner and Petro Martinez.
Here you can read the entire match in the tennisnet live ticker!
Thiem: Next stop in Geneva
Despite a clear improvement in form, Thiem remains without a win in the fifth game after his comeback: He celebrated his return to the tour at the end of March at the Challenger tournament in Marbella after a break of nine months and then competed in Belgrade, Estoril and Madrid, respectively unsuccessful.
skyrom2022
Due to his long break, Thiem is only 162nd in the world rankings, in Rome he was in the main field thanks to his protected ranking (6th place).
Thiem will start in Geneva next week, after which the French Open will follow.