Steve Johnson’s emotional run in the French Open came to an end on Friday at the hands of sixth seed Dominic Thiem.
Thiem won the match 6-1, 7-6, 6-3 and will face Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos in the fourth round.
Thiem made a fast start, breaking Johnson in his first service game. Thiem’s heavy top spin ground-strokes consistently troubled Johnson, particularly in the American’s backhand corner. Johnson normally slices his weaker backhand. Today though he attempted to flatten it out at times to try and disrupt his opponent. Thiem was having none of it though, and finished the first set with a second break.
Johnson’s level improved dramatically in the second. His serving variation consistently managed to frustrate Thiem, who despite earning numerous break points failed to break. Johnson had two chances to break at the end of the second. Thiem double-faulted at 15-40 when inexplicably going for a second serve ace down the tee. Thiem held though.
Johnson took a brief lead in the ensuing tiebreak, but Thiem recovered to win seven of the next nine points to win the second set.
Johnson survived a marathon hold in his first service game of the second set. However, the twenty-fifth seed could not deny Thiem in fourth game, the Austrian breaking on his fourth chance of the game. Johnson managed to break Thiem’s serve for the first time to get back on serve. The American could not maintain the level though, and Thiem passed him for a break in the next game. The match then went with serve through the end, with Thiem executing a brilliant volley on match point. There was a toughing embrace at the net between the two players, as Thiem offered his support to Johnson for his loss.
Johnson exits the tournament with huge credit, considering he lost his father unexpectedly just weeks before the tournament. The American fought hard for two tough wins against Yuichi Suigta and Borna Coric in the first two rounds, equalling his best effort at Roland Garros by reaching the third round.
Thiem looks in ominous form this tournament. The Austrain does not fazed by the large number of points he has to defend from last year (semi-finalist). He has a kind draw. He would have likely faced tenth seed David Goffin next, but the Belgian was forced to retire against Horacio Zeballos in the first set. He suffered a freak injury when chasing down a ball deep at the back of the court. Goffin’s foot caught in the tarpaulin at the back, and his ankle rolled badly.
The tournament already represents Zeballos best ever run at a grand slam. The thirty-two year-old’s previous best efforts have included second round runs at the French and US Opens.
