Dominic Thiem got a tough draw in Rome with Fabio FOgnini proving better in two tight sets and it left the Austrian very frustrated.
It was the best match Thiem played since his return but once again it was not enough as Fognini proved motivated and when he is, he is tough to beat. After the match, Thiem said:
"I'm really frustrated right now, obviously. Things have improved again since Madrid. That's good. I looked at the stats after the first set on the big screen. Actually, they are getting better and better. The first-serve percentage, first-serve wins, second-serve wins actually had better stats in the first set. Just zero out of three break points. I have to play better those close points."
He continued:
"That's what I did at 4-5 in the second when I came back. Then at 6-5 he played a great game with four first serves. I was hoping to break him there and get things going even better for me. The tie-break was not good for me. Obviously in the tie-break you get a little bit tighter. That's where the forehand is still not there when things are getting tighter. That's the way it is now."