Tennis

Dominic Thiem ekes out win in Croatia

July 25, 2023 12:24 pm

[Source: Reuters]

Austria’s Dominic Thiem defeated qualifier Facundo Bagnis of Argentina 6-4, 7-5 in the first round of the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag.

The 2020 U.S. Open champion, Thiem continues to forge a comeback path after a wrist injury and multiple other ailments in recent years. Thiem — now ranked just No. 112 in the world — saved all six break points he faced Monday and overcame five double faults.

In a battle of Croatian wild cards, 17-year-old Dino Prizmic beat Duje Ajdukovic 6-1, 6-2 for his first ATP Tour win. Prizmic won the boys’ singles title at the French Open last month.

Article continues after advertisement

Japan’s Taro Daniel rallied past Spanish wild card Martin Landaluce 1-6, 7-5, 6-2, and Alexei Popyrin of Australia beat Benjamin Bonzi of France 6-4, 7-5.

Hamburg European Open

Serbia’s Laslo Djere upset No. 6 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina 7-6 (2), 6-3 in the first round in Germany.

Djere won five straight points in the first-set tiebreaker to take control, finishing the match with 27 of 36 first-service points won (75 percent).

Daniel Altmaier of Germany defeated France’s Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-4, while Luca Van Assche won a battle of two Frenchmen, topping Alexandre Muller 7-6 (3), 6-4.

Argentina’s Guido Pella was a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 winner over Brazilian Thiago Monteiro.