"He is one of my favorite partners on the tour" - Thiem prepares for quarterfinal clash with Rublev following easy second round win in Vienna

Reigning US Open champion Dominic Thiem made quick work of Christian Garin in the second round of the Erste Bank Open Vienna, as he looks to defend the title he captured last year.

The second seed dispatched of Garin in a clinical display of power and precision, breezing past the Chilean with a 6-3 6-2 victory. Thiem did not face a break point in the match, and simply overpowered Garin from the baseline.

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In what will be a big-hitting affair, the Austrian next faces fifth seed Andrey Rublev for a spot in the semifinals. Thiem leads the Russian 2-1 in head-to-head meetings, although Rublev won their most recent encounter 7-6(3) 7-6(5) last year in Hamburg.

"He is one of my favorite partners on the tour and we train a lot together," Thiem said of Rublev. "He's just moved into the top 10, but the way he's on it at the moment, he's one of the top five players in the world."

Although Thiem has already qualified for the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in London, Rublev is aiming to qualify for the first time in his career. This should be added motivation for the Russian to bring his best against last year's runner-up, leading to what should be a tantalizing match-up.

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