Domi Delights Down South 👊 @domithiem saves 2 match points in a terrific win over Wolf 6-7 7-5 7-6, notching his first victory on a hard court in over 18 months! Next up: Dimitrov 👀 #WSOpen
Thiem saves two match points in comeback victory over Wolf at the Winston-Salem Open
ATPTuesday, 23 August 2022 at 06:30
In his first hardcourt match of the season, Dominic Thiem looked battled back from a set down to defeat American J.J. Wolf and book a spot in the second round of the Winston-Salem Open.
The 2020 US Open champion lost a tight first-set tiebreak but rallied back to secure a 6-7(5) 7-5 7-6(6) victory, saving two match points in the process. After dealing with injuries for over a year, Thiem finally made his return to the hardcourt after 18 months away.
The Austrian matched Wolf's power from the baseline, looking like he'd never left. After an exchange of breaks, the tiebreak ensued during which Wolf raced to a 4-1 lead. However, Thiem was able to level the score at 5-5, before his opponent applied more pressure which saw the American take the opening set.
There was another exchange of breaks in the second set, as each man appeared to match the other's intensity. However, it was Thiem who obtained the crucial break as Wolf attempted to force another tiebreak, leveling the score at one set apiece.
With neither man willing to budge, play was interrupted due to some inclement weather. After over an hour of rain delay, the match resumed with Thiem grabbing a break to lead 4-2. Nonetheless, the former World No.3 failed to serve out the match at 5-3, allowing Wolf to break back and force another tiebreak.
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The World No.87 obtained a minibreak to lead 6-4, and was a point away from victory. However, Thiem displayed his championship pedigree, hitting a beautiful forehand winner to save match point. The Austrian leveled the score at 6-6, before closing out the marathon match after three hours and 10 minutes.
Awaiting Thiem in the next round is top seed Grigor Dimitrov, who holds a 4-2 lead in career meetings over the former US Open champion.
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