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Lorenzo Sonego Roland Garros
ATP Tennis Players, Dominic Thiem, Tennis News

‘An unbelievable moment for me,’ says Lorenzo Sonego after Dominic Thiem win


Italian star Lorenzo Sonego survived a match point to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open after outlasting Dominic Thiem in the third round. 

After battling for three hours and 28 minutes, Sonego was forced to play the final set at the Foro Italico without the home crowd after the local curfew was enforced at the end of the second.

Sonego continued to perform well however, and held his nerve in the final set tie-break to defeat the reigning US Open Champion and set up another tough test against Russian star Andrey Rublev.

“It’s amazing, an unbelievably emotional moment for me because I’m in Rome, in my Italy with fans for two sets,” said Sonego.

“I’m so happy for this victory, for this match. Dominic Thiem is with Nadal the best player on clay.

“It’s not easy to play two sets with fans and one more set with no fans. But I had my team and they supported me always. I’m happy.”

A single break in game seven was enough for the World No 33 to take the opener, while the second set went with serve before the Austrian edged the tie-breaker.

Shortly after the fans exited the Grand Stand, Thiem reeled off four consecutive games to lead 4-2 before Sonego survived a match point to force another tie-break.

The Italian eventually prevailed 7-5 in the breaker, wrapping up a three-hour epic in the Italian capital.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.