French Open: Dominic Thiem fights in round two
Dominic Thiem has moved into the second round of the French Open 2019. Last year's finalist defeated USA's Tommy Paul in four sets after some difficulties. ( Here you can find matches in our live ticker ).
by Jens Huiber
last edit: May 28, 2019, 11:32 am
By Jens Huiber from Paris
In the end, it wasn't just a fight against time, but rather the darkness that Dominic Thiem had to win. The Austrian's match was last scheduled on Suzanne Lenglen's court, but the previous games dragged on quite a bit. Thanks especially to Peter Gojowczyk, who forced Jo-Wilfried Tsonga into an extension after a 0-2 deficit, but ultimately lost after four rounds.
No, Thiem had unexpectedly big problems with Tommy Paul, but won after 2:31 hours but won 6: 4, 4: 6, 7: 6 (5) and 6: 2.
Paul got into the main draw of the French Open 2019 with a wildcard - and acted from the start as if he had nothing to lose. Took the balls early, came to direct points. In the tenth game, however, Thiem used a short phase of weakness from his opponent, winning the 6: 4 after 31 minutes of play.
# BETATHOMEFO #
The second act showed a similar picture - but this time it was Thiem who flinched. And lost his serve to 3: 4. Paul continued to play fearlessly in his first match in an ATP main field in 2019, increasingly setting the pace with his forehand. And also followed his balls if necessary. The set equalization after 66 minutes of play was not undeserved.
Thiem catches up in the tie-break
In the third set, Thiem fended off a breakball at 3: 3, was suddenly back in the tie break with 0: 4. It was precisely in this phase that the favorite, fueled by the majority of the audience on the Suzanne Lenglen court, managed to raise its level. Thiem won five points in a row, after a little more than two hours of play, a ball from Paul spun out via net edge. 7: 5 in the Jeu decisif for Dominic Thiem.
Thiem now took command and used his third breakball to make it 2-1. And finished his match in good time before dark with his own serve to 6: 2. Also important with regard to the weather forecast: rather wet conditions are announced for Tuesday. In any case, lap two is waiting for Alexander Bublik, who also won four sets against the German youngster Rudi Molleker.