Dominic Thiem will try to leave the season’s opening two months behind him as quickly as possible. The Austrian has won only one match since the start of 2023, leaving the Golden Swing with one victory and three losses. The latest defeat came in the opening round of the ATP 250 event in Santiago.
Dominic experienced a 6-2, 7-6 loss against the home favorite Cristian Garin in an hour and 43 minutes. Garin was the only player on the court in the opener, dominating on serve and return for a perfect start. Thiem raised his level in the second set and served well to introduce a tie break.
Cristian grabbed all four points behind the initial shot and delivered three mini-breaks to emerge at the top without playing a decider. The Chilean made a perfect start and broke the Austrian at love in the encounter’s first game.
Garin opened a 2-0 gap with a forehand winner in game two and fired an ace at 2-1 for a hold at love.
Dominic Thiem is 1-6 since the start of the season.
Thiem stayed in touch with a service winner in game five and moved 30-0 up on the return in the next one.
Cristian remained calm and claimed four straight points to keep his serve intact and open a 4-2 gap. Dominic got broken for the second time in game seven after a double fault, allowing his opponent to serve for the set at 5-2.
Garin fired a service winner in game eight to secure the set in style and forge the advantage after half an hour. Thiem played better in the second set and produced two fine holds to remain on the positive side. The Austrian faced issues behind the initial shot at 2-2, facing three break points and defending them to stay in touch.
Cristian pushed strong on the return again at 3-3 and created two break chances that could have sent him closer to the finish line. Dominic saved both with strong hitting and held to increase his opportunities. The Austrian served at 5-5 and faced another break point.
He erased it with a forehand attack and held for 6-5. Garin grabbed the 12th game at love and gained a boost ahead of the tie break. Pushing hard with his forehand, Cristian moved 3-0 up and drew Dominic’s volley error to increase the gap.
Theim netted a backhand at 1-5 to experience five match points. Garin seized the second after the rival’s volley mistake to emerge at the top and move into the second round.
