After what has been a rocky start to 2019 for Dominic Thiem, the Austrian seems to have returned back to top form at the BNP Paribas Open.
Hampered by illness during the early stages of the season, the world No.8 had only won three out of seven matches coming into the tournament. Nevertheless, Thiem has powered his way into the quarter-finals of Indian Wells without dropping a set. His latest triumph was a 6-4, 6-3, win over tour veteran Ivo Karlovic. Winning an impressive 85% of his service points without facing a single break point.
“I have so much respect from him because he’s 40, still competing in the world class.” Thiem said of Karlovic.
“I was curious how the match was going to be. It was my first match against him on the tour.’
“I made two breaks in the right moment. On my serve, I was very solid.”
It was at Indian Wells where Thiem made his debut in a Masters 1000 event back in 2014. Since then, he has achieved a 11-5 win-loss record at the tournament. His win over Karlovic has sent the 25-year-old into the quarter-finals for only the second time in his career after 2017.
“It’s pretty unique here with the desert air. Here I played my first ever Masters 1000 event, 2014. I’ve felt good from the first moment here. To me, it’s like almost like a clay court, just where you cannot slide, because the bounce is pretty high, especially when it’s sunny, when it’s warmer during the day.” Thiem explained.
“Somehow it’s strange because it’s a slow court, but the ball is going fast through the air. It’s very good conditions for me. “
Saying with confidence that he has a ‘good physical health,’ Thiem faces a stern test in the next round. His opponent will be France’s Gael Monfils. A player who has already won 15 matches this year and claimed the Rotterdam Open title last month. Monfils booked his placed in the quarter-finals with a clinical 6-0, 6-2, win over Philipp Kohlschreiber. Kohlschreiber was the player who knocked Novak Djokovic out of the tournament.
“He has had a very good season so far. Won Rotterdam, played good Dubai. When he’s on, I think everybody knows what he’s capable of.” Said Thiem. “It’s hard to hit a winner against him. He’s so fast and he can also put a lot of pressure (on you). It’s going to be a tough match and completely different, and for sure also great fun.”
Thiem’s clash with Monfils will be the last match played on the premier count in Indian Wells on Thursday. A win will elevate him to the semi-finals of a Masters 1000 for the fifth time in his career, but it would be the first time he has done so on an outdoor hard court.
