Former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem says he is “definitely back” after following up his first win in 14 months with a 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-4 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut at the Bastad Open.
The former world number three, who beat Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori earlier this week to snap a 10-match losing streak on the Tour, was sidelined for nine months after injuring his wrist in June 2021.
Prior to his win over Ruusuvuori, the 28-year-old had failed to win a match at any of the tournaments he played since he came back from injury in March, falling to 339 in the rankings.
“The win against Emil gave me confidence that I can compete against the best players in the world and today against Roberto,” Thiem said in his on-court interview after his win over Spanish fourth seed Bautista Agut on Thursday.
“He is always such a tough opponent. I was expecting and hoping it would be a close match. Then when I won the first set in the tie-break I said ‘Hey, I can win today.’ I had the belief until the end of the match and the third set was really good.
“Two really top opponents, so if I can beat them I am definitely back. I am into the quarters of a really strong tournament, so I am happy. It is a process, but I am going the right way.”
Thiem will face Argentine eighth seed Sebastian Baez in the quarter-finals later on Friday.
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