By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, May 12, 2016
Dominic Thiem defeated Roger Federer, 7-6 (2), 6-4, to advance to the Rome quarterfinals.
Photo credit: Abierto Mexicano
Roger Federer exceeded his expectations winning his Rome opener yesterday.
Pained by a strained back, Federer did not survive the second hurdle today.
More: Federer Expected to Lose to Zverev
Playing dynamic all-court tennis, Dominic Thiem defeated a compromised Federer, 7-6 (2), 6-4, to advance to the Rome quarterfinals.
"This was an information tournament for me,never a result tournament," said Federer afterward. Though he did not detail specifics of his back issue, Federer said "it's definitely got something to do with the back."
Asked if he will play Roland Garros later this month and extend his Open Era record run of 65 consecutive Grand Slam appearances, Federer suggested he would give it a go.
"I'm confident and hopeful at the same time," Federer said.
"I see my chances as not great to have the most unbelievable run," he added. "But maybe if in three, four days I can practice 100 percent for next week then I believe that something is possible again. But as of now, clearly the way I'm playing right now, is never going to be enough for any good run in Paris. And then I also wouldn't play this way. I'm still confident I will be fine somehow... It really depends on the next seven to nine days how I can really play in Paris."
Thiem scored his third Top 10 victory of the season raising his record to 32-9—second-most wins on the ATP Tour behind only world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who is 34-2 this season.
The 13th-seeded Austrian will face either sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori or 11th-seeded Richard Gasquet for a semifinal spot.
Thiem, who produced 29 winners against just 13 errors, rallying from a break down in the first set to reach his sixth quarterfinal of the season.
Following his straight-sets victory over Alexander Zverev yesterday, Federer said he wasn't even sure if he would play today's match against Thiem.
“I don’t know how I’m going to feel tomorrow,” he told the media in Rome. “It’s baby steps right now, so to even think of tomorrow is a big ask.”
The world No. 2, who beat the Austrian 6-1, 6-4, in the Sydney semifinals in January, tried shortening points from the outset against the talented Thiem.
Following an early exchange of breaks, Thiem saved a break point in the 11th game for 6-5 then pressured Federer's serve. The Swiss stood strong holding through a deuce game to force the tie break.
Firing a forehand winner crosscourt, Federer roused the Rome crowd for a 2-1 tie break lead. It was all Thiem after that as he reeled off six straight points.
A sharp forehand crosscourt set up a backhand winner for 4-2, Federer sprayed a forehand wide and Thiem followed holding his shot for a moment to force Federer to commit then spinning a forehand winner down the line for 6-2. He closed the opening set in style whipping a backhand winner.
Thiem prefers playing deep on the return, but he has dynamic all-court skills and showed them winning 12 of 13 trips to the net.
Trying to squeeze shots closer to the lines to shorten points, Federer hit 18 winners against 34 unforced errors as he appeared compromised, at times, trying to cut sharply and change direction.
Winning the first set empowered Thiem, who was turning his shoulders and striking the ball with even more authority in the second set.
Federer put a forehand into net to face double break point in the fifth game. He erased the first with an ace and tried the serve-and-volley on the second.
Anticipating the play, Thiem was quick off the mark, caught up to a short volley and plastered a pass breaking for a 3-2 second-set lead. Thiem quickly consolidated the break.
Federer saved a break point holding for 3-4.
Serving for the match, Thiem spun an angled pass for triple-match point.
Thiem cranked an ace wide that bounded off the back wall to close his first career victory over the 17-time Grand Slam champion in one hour, 18 minutes.
While Thiem moves on in Rome questions surround Federer's status for Paris. Will he play Roland Garros and extend his Open Era record of 65 consecutive Grand Slam appearances?