Dominic Thiem says there is still room for improvement in his game after sealing a place in the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday.
The second seed rallied his way to a 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, win against Marin Cilic who won the New York title back in 2014. Thiem started the match off the stronger of the two and didn’t face a single break point in his first 10 service games before Cilic staged a mini comeback during the third set. However, the Austrian soon regrouped as he sealed victory with the help of nine aces and 41 winners to move into the second week of the Grand Slam for the fifth time in his career.
“It automatically comes from the things I improve with every match on this high level. I improve basically everything in my game. I think also here at this tournament it got better each match,” Thiem commented on his current level.
“In general it was a good, close match. I’m happy. But, yeah, of course I have to improve to get the chance to get further,” he added.
Despite his latest victory in Flushing Meadows, Thiem admits that he needs to ‘raise his level’ if he wishes to go further in the tournament. So far he has only reached the quarter-finals of the US Open once which was back in 2018 when he was knocked out by Rafael Nadal.
The next test for the 27-year-old will be a clash with the inform Felix Auger Aliassime. The Canadian, who is the youngest player in the top 50 on the ATP Tour, powered his way into the last 16 with a comprehensive straight sets win over Corentin Moutet. Earlier in the tournament Auger-Aliassime also knocked Andy Murray out of the draw.
“He’s a great player. No real weaknesses. Great to watch. Great athlete, great person,” Thiem said of the 20-year-old.
“The only thing he’s missing is the experience. That’s what I’m trying to play for my advantage. It’s not my first second week at a slam, but it’s his. That’s probably my biggest advantage in this (upcoming) match.’
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m always looking forward to playing against these young superstars, as I’m 27 for a few days, not young anymore. I think it’s going to be a great encounter.”
Whilst Thiem may have the edge in terms of experience, Auger-Aliassime is relishing his upcoming challenge. His record against top-10 opposition currently stands at a win-loss of 2-10 and he has never played Thiem before on the Tour.
“Dominic has been getting stronger and stronger year after year. You feel like step-by-step he’s been reaching later stages of these tournaments, really becoming like a power in the tennis world,” said Auger-Aliassime.
“For me, it’s a good and interesting match-up. Obviously to test myself against the best in the world and against the second seed of this tournament.”
This year Thiem is bidding to become the first ever Austrian player to reach a US Open final.
