Dominic Thiem beats former champion Marin Cilic to reach US Open fourth round
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ByEurosport
Updated 06/09/2020 at 06:46 GMT
The second seed Dominic Thiem secured his place in the fourth round of the US Open.
Dominic Thiem of Austria reacts to winning a point during his Men’s Singles third round match against Marin Cilic of Croatia on Day Six of the 2020 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Image credit: Getty Images
Dominic Thiem fought off Marin Cilic to down the former champion 6-2 6-2 3-6 6-3 on Saturday and reach the fourth round of the US Open.
Thiem, who had won both his previous meetings with the 31st seed, made a fast start before holding on despite a fightback from the Croat to progress.
"I think the quick start was more because of him," the Austrian said of Cilic, who was taken to five sets in his opener and four in the last round.
"He had two very tough opening rounds, long matches."
Cilic regrouped in the third set, however, and once the former world No. 3 found his range the winners started to flow.
Thiem, who has reached three Grand Slam finals without success, began to struggle with his second serve and Cilic broke for the first time in the match to go up 4-2 and then forced a fourth set.
Thiem had to save five break points during the set and converted his only opportunity in the sixth game to nose ahead before sealing the match with a big first serve when Cilic's return found the net.
"He was returning well and set three and four he raised his level a lot," Thiem said in his on-court interview.
"I didn't really play worse these sets but he showed what he's capable of and that's why it was really tough ... in these matches you need a little bit of luck, from time to time it's really close."
Thiem will next meet Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who has not lost a set this week and beat Corentin Moutet 6-1 6-0 6-4 to reach the last-16 of a Grand Slam for the first time.
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Thiem said he would have to take his game to a higher level if he was to get the better of the 20-year-old Auger-Aliassime in their first career encounter.
"Great athlete, great person. The only thing what he's missing is the experience," Thiem, who turned 27 on Thursday, told reporters.
"It's not my first second week at a Slam, but it's his. That's probably my biggest advantage that I have in this match.
"I'm always looking forward to play against these young superstars, as I'm 27 for a few days, not young any more."
Additional reporting from Reuters
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