Dominic Thiem loses at Rio Open, falling to 1-2 in 2023

Dominic Thiem is as soon as once more combating by way of his matches and having fun with himself, however confidence is admittedly nonetheless missing for the 29-year-old.

Thiem misplaced within the first spherical of the Rio Open on Monday, falling to Thiago Monteiro 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (2).

The former world No. 3 and 2020 US Open champion, who got here in ranked at No. 96 after battling proper wrist and belly accidents, fell to 1-2 on the 12 months. He missed the Australian Open and bought his first win final week on the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.

“I was not convinced enough. It is a so-so leg of confidence. A leg of one match this year,” Thiem mentioned. “Today was a little bit better than I did in Buenos Aires. But still when I step in it is too many mistakes. I need to find the right timing again, find myself closer at the baseline again.”

Thiem, who gained the Rio Open in 2017, dropped the primary set towards the 83rd-ranked Monteiro in 27 minutes, with the Austrian making a collection of unforced errors.

Thiem righted himself within the second set, counting on his forehand and his endurance on the baseline. After a back-and-forth third set, the Brazilian gained the tiebreaker comfortably to shut out the 2-hour, 46-minute match.

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“I was never injured before. I didn’t know how long it would take. It is taking as long as it takes. I am not stressing out,” Thiem mentioned. “I have the feeling I was defining myself way too long with results. It is very unhealthy, especially mentally, if I define myself only with results.”

Monteiro will subsequent face both second-seeded Cameron Norrie or Juan Manuel Cerundolo within the clay-court match.

Defending champion and second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz faces Mateus Alves within the first spherical on Tuesday.