‘They’re far from reality’ – Dominic Thiem labels those who saw him as favourite in US Open battle

Dominic Thiem is positive despite his first round US Open exit as he looks to continue his climb back to the top of the sport. 

The 2020 US Open champion made his first appearance in New York since winning the title two years ago against 12th seed and Canadian Masters champion Pablo Carreno Busta.

While Thiem had his chances, he eventually fell to the Spaniard 7-5, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3, but characterised the match as one of his best since his return.

“I think that it was not bad at all the whole match. Probably intensity-wise and shots-wise the best since Paris,” Thiem described in his post-match press conference. “A lot of good things to take from this match. I think everybody who thought that I was the favourite today was far away from reality.

“I mean, Pablo has had a great season. He won Montreal. He’s a two-time semifinalist here. I’m just still in the process of coming back. I’ll take a lot of good things from today and going to move on.”

Carreno Busta reached the semi-finals of the US Open back in 2017 and again in 2020, benefitting from the infamous default of Novak Djokovic in the fourth round of the latter event. He takes on Kazakhstani maverick Alexander Bublik next.

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