Dominic Thiem could not find his form in the season’s opening three months, scoring only one victory and remaining outside the top-100. Thiem kicked off his favorite spring clay swing in Estoril, surviving the opening round and raising his level against Ben Shelton.
Thiem beat Shelton 6-2, 6-2 in 63 minutes for his first quarter-final since October last year. The Austrian felt happy about his level, playing well and wishing for more in the rest of the tournament, liking the conditions a lot.
It was Shelton’s second match on clay, and he could not match the rival’s pace despite a solid start. The American could not find free points with his serve, making too many errors and failing to impose his strokes. Thiem claimed 57% of the return points and broke the opponent five times.
Dominic’s serve worked like a charm, dropping seven points in eight service games and never facing problems after the encounter’s first game. Shelton broke in the encounter’s second game with a massive forehand before Thiem took charge.
Dominic Thiem feels happy about his game in Estoril.
Thiem seized the second break point in the third game with a return winner. Ben lost serve again in the fifth game after Dominic’s drop shot winner, and the Austrian held at love in game six to cement the advantage.
Thiem earned more break points after the American’s wild forehand in game seven. Shelton placed a forehand miles away from the court to experience a break and fall 5-2 behind. Thiem fired a service winner at 5-2 for a hold at love, wrapping up the set in style.
The young gun held at the start of the second set and could not find free points at 1-1, facing three break points. Dominic converted the first with a forehand down the line winner for a 2-1 advantage and cemented the lead with a booming serve in the next one.
Shelton hit a double fault to fall 4-1 behind, and Thiem grabbed the sixth game at love with a smash winner. The American clinched the seventh game with a service winner, and the Austrian emerged at the top with an unreturned serve a few minutes later.
“The higher the ball bounces, the better for me. The conditions were excellent today due to the warm weather. There was no wind, and the court felt fast and dry, taking the spin very well. It suits my game well, and I’m excited to reach the quarter-final.
I’m playing better and better, and this should be my part of the season after a slow start in the opening three months. Ben has played well since the last year. This was his second match on clay, and I greatly respected his serve and athletic abilities before our duel. I tried to use my experience on clay, and everything went well,” Dominic Thiem said.
