Dominic Thiem has won his first match at the ATP 250 tournament in Umag since 2015 when he won his second ATP Tour title at the age of 21.
Thiem beat Argentine qualifier Facundo Bagnis 6-4 7-5 after 2 hours and 3 minutes to reach the second round in Umag.
Thiem saved all six break points he faced, including two on set points at 4-5 in the second set.
The Austrian player fended off both break points he faced and converted one of the three chances. Thiem saved early break points before earning his decisive break in the 11th game to seal the second set 7-5.
Thiem will aim to reach his first ATP Tour level final since last April. The Austrian player set up a match against Jiri Lehecka.
“I knew that it was going to be hard work against him. He is a great player, especially on the clay court. He had two two victories here already in the qualifying round, which is never easy. It was the third day in a row, so he knows how to play at night, how the balls are bouncing. So it was a lot of hard work today, but now I am happy that I won that match”, said Thiem.
Flavio Cobolli beat Marin Cilic 6-4 6-3. Cobolli earned his first break in the fifth game to win the opening set 6-4. The Italian player broke in the first game of the second set and saved a break points in each of the fourth and sixth games. He sealed the win with his second break of the second set.
This year’s Roland Garros boys’ singles champion Dino Primiz cruised past Croatian wild card Duje Ajdukovic 6-1 6-2.
“The feeling is amazing. I want to say thanks to everyone who came here to support this match. It means a lot to me and this is a big experience for me”, said Primiz.
