Dominic Thiem upset Roger Federer 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to reach the quarter finals at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome for the first time in his career. Thiem recovered from a set down in the first set to qualify for his sixth quarter final of the season. Federer was affected by a back injury.
Federer started the first set aggressively and broke serve in the fifth game to take a 3-2 but was broken back in the next game. Thiem saved a break point in the 11th game to take a 6-5 in the first set. Federer held his serve in the 12th game at deuce to force the first set to the tie.break.
In the tie-break Federer took a 2-1 lead with a crosscourt forehand winner. Thiem fought back by winning six consecutive points to close out the first set with a backhand winner down the line. Thiem won 12 of 13 trips at the net. Federer hit 18 winners to 34 unforced errors.
Federer faced a double break point in the fifth game. He saved the first opportunity with an ace but Thiem got the only break of the second set on his second opportunity in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead with a forehand winner. Thiem consolidated the break in the next game. Federer fended off a break point holding his serve for 3-4.
The 22-year-old Austrian player held his next service games and earned three match points in the 10th game. He closed out the match to 15 after 79 minutes. Thiem clinched his 32nd win of the season and the first of his career against Federer. Only Novak Djokovic won more matches. Thiem hit 29 winners to 13 unforced errors
Thiem will take on either Richard Gasquet or Kei Nishikori for a spot in the semifinals.
“I am very happy to be in the quarter finals. It was a very tricky match today. Of course he was not 100 percent but he played some very good points. I think you cannot put it of your head. It’s impossible, I think”, said Thiem.
Thiem got through to the second Masters 1000 quarter final of his career and the first in Rome. Last year the Austrian player lost to Andy Murray in the quarter finals in Miami. Thiem reached three finals in Buenos Aires (after beating Rafa Nadal in the semifinals), Acapulco and Munich (where he finished runner-up to Phillip Kohlschreiber).
Federer was forced to miss the Madrid Mutua Open last week due to a back injury after reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and the quarter final in Monte-Carlo. He said during yesterday’s press conference that he would take the final decision whether to play or not only a few hours before the match depending on his physical condition.
“I don’t know how I am going to feel tomorrow. It’s baby steps right now, so to even think of tomorrow is a big ask”, said Federer.
