‘I’m definitely back!’ – Dominic Thiem makes major progress on comeback trail

Dominic Thiem beat Roberto Bautista Agut at Bastad before confidently declaring: ‘I am definitely back!’

Thiem has had such a tough time since winning the 2020 US Open that he has slipped outside the top 300 in the world, although much of that is due to a wrist injury.

This week saw him end a 14 month wait for a win on the ATP Tour when he beat Emil Ruusuvuori in the first round in Bastad, although a clash with Bautista Agut was always going to provided a serious test.

It is a test he has come through, though, as he beat the Spaniard 7-6, 3-6, 6-4.

“It is a process,” Dominic Thiem said on court after the match.

“I beat [Emil] Ruusuvuori and today I beat Bautista Agut. Two really top opponents, so if I can beat them I am definitely back, I am into the quarters of a really strong tournament, so I am happy. It is a process, but I am going the right way.

“It is great to play here. It is an amazing atmosphere and I am so happy that I won today so I can have at least another match tomorrow. It was really good.”

“The win against Emil gave me confidence that I can compete against the best players in the world and today against Roberto. He is always such a tough opponent. I was expecting and hoping it would be a close match.

“Then when I won the first set in the tie-break I said ‘Hey, I can win today.’ I had the belief until the end of the match and the third set was really good.”

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