Thiem defeats Molcan for first win in 2023

Former world number 3 Dominic Thiem got off the mark for the 2023 ATP Tour season with a quality win on Tuesday night at the Argentina Open.

Dominic Thiem sobre polvo de ladrillo 🧡pic.twitter.com/GEf1xM6gjQ

— Set Tenis (@settenisok) February 15, 2023

The 29-year-old Austrian defeated seventh seed Alex Molcan 7-6(4), 6-3 in Buenos Aires, breaking through in his fifth match of the year.

More on this topic:

Thiem slows down on practice to keep wrist injury at bay

“It was a good match,” said Thiem, who won the Buenos Aires title in 2016 and 2018. “I like it a lot here in Buenos Aires. Already the last days in practice I was feeling well.

“I won my first match of the season against a very good opponent. I stayed focused throughout the whole match, as well in the difficult moments. So I’m happy and I’m trying to focus fully on the second round now.”

Thiem, who did not face a break point in set two as he improved to 12-1 in Buenos Aires with the victory, and Molcan traded breaks from 5-5 in the opening set. The Austrian raced to a 5/1 lead in the tie-break after failing to serve out the set.

Thiem will play Peruvian qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas in the next round.