Dominic Thiem said he feels “way better than expected” but can “still feel the lack of matches” after beating Alex De Minaur to reach the Madrid Open quarter-finals.The world No. 4 won 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 against the Australian in the third round of the Masters 1000 tournament on Thursday, after saving a set point in the first set tiebreak.
The 27-year-old is playing in his first event since Dubai in March.
“There were many long rallies, [which is] exactly what I need right now. I am very, very happy again with my performance. It was nice. I love the conditions, the court and the tournament,” Thiem said in a post-match interview.
“I feel way better than expected. In some points and some rallies, I still feel the lack of matches. I am a little bit more out of breath, I am a little bit too tight in some shots and some strokes.
“Everything has to be a little more relaxed again to be in the match mode. I lost a little bit of intensity after winning that close first set.
“I have to get back in a rhythm, but the more matches I play against these top guys, the quicker I will get back in the match rhythm I need.”
The Austrian will face either Andrey Rublev or John Isner in the quarter-finals.
