Dominic Thiem beat Ben Shelton 6-2 6-2 to move into the quarter finals in Estoril.
Dominic Thiem beat Ben Shelton 6-2 6-2 to move into the quarter finals in Estoril.
After a difficult start to the year, Dominic Thiem is beginning to find his rhythm once again.
On Thursday he beat America Ben Shelton in the Estoril Open round of 16, where Thiem's clay court experience over the novice showed.
Thiem was an early break down in the match, and said he was saying "bad words" to himself at this point.
"It was a horrible start," Thiem told the media after the match against Shelton, playing just his second match on clay since joining the tour last year.
Topspin the key to victory, says Thiem
But the former world number three went on to win 12 out of the next 14 games, to seal his spot in the next round.
"I was taking very good topspin," which he highlighted as a key characteristic in the match.
Thiem has largely struggled in 2023, and hadn't even won a match before arriving in Portugal, but said he has started noticing improvements to his game in recent weeks.
"Between Indian Wells and Miami I started feeling the forehand better, and it is doing damage he again."
"I’m moving better, had a good practice week last week in Austria, it feels good now," Thiem added.
Will Dominic Thiem ever return to the ATP top ten?
Yes
No
Shelton, on the other hand, seemed to struggle after his bright start to the match, with suggestions afterwards that he may have had some physical issues in the Portuguese heat.
Thiem will now play the winner of Roberto Bautista Agut and Quentin Halys in Friday's quarter finals.
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