Thiem saves a match point to beat Rublev

The fifth-seeded Austrian saved one match point in a 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Russian Andrey Rublev for a place in the third round in as many years. 

Thiem, who has now contested 10 clay-court matches this year (9-1 record), led Rublev 4-1 in the deciding set before his 20-year-old opponent recovered and held one match point opportunity at 5-4, 40/30.

For long periods Rublev had looked set to cause an upset against one of the Tour’s strongest performers on red dirt, but two run-around forehand winners from Thiem at 5-5 in the second set triggered a turn in fortune. Squandering a set point on Rublev’s serve at 4-5, 30/40, the Austrian regained his groundstroke timing to reel off six of the next seven games to lead 4-1 in the decider. 

However, the damage didn’t end Rublev’s challenge. The World No. 33 continued to play aggressively and close to the baseline to break back in a 12-point sixth game en route to 4-4. 

In forcing Thiem to slide into backhands angled out of the court, Rublev converted his fifth break point opportunity of the ninth game with a backhand winner down the line for 5-4.

The elation was short-lived. Serving for the match, Rublev came within one point of clinching his second win over a Top 10 player at 40/30, but went all-out in hitting a forehand long. 

Thiem broke back and made the pressure tell, taking Rublev’s serve to 15 to complete victory in two hours and 40 minutes. 

Elsewhere, wild card Gilles Simon won an all-French clash to beat No. 16 seed Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 for a second-round meeting against Karen Khachanov of Russia.

There were also loud cheers for Italian qualifier Marco Cecchinato, who recorded a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia & Herzegovina in 72 minutes. Canada’s Milos Raonic, the No. 14 seed, is his next opponent.