Djokovic dropped just four games as he opened his bid for a seventh Rome title.
A wrist injury derailed Thiem's trajectory, but did not keep him from scaling the heights.
Illness has ended Elena Rybakina's Rome reign: the defending champion withdrew from the Italian Open.
The Pole was her typical ruthless self on Thursday night in the Italian capital.
Rafael Nadal saved seven of nine break points beating Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to score his 70th career Rome win today.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic talks his new and old team and mission statement ahead of his quest to regain the Rome title.
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