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Dominic Thiem File Photo (Dominic Thiem Twitter deal with)
Australian Open finalist in 2020 and former world quantity three Dominic Thiem misplaced 3-6, 4-6, 2-6 to Russia’s Andrey Rublev
- AFP Melbourne
- Last Updated: January 17, 2023, 08:57 IST
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The 2020 finalist Dominic Thiem’s Australian Open ended in the primary spherical on Tuesday, with the previous world quantity three crashing out to fifth seed Andrey Rublev in a setback on his return from damage.
While Russia’s Rublev held a transparent benefit in phrases of present rating, Thiem had a far higher Grand Slam pedigree because the US Open champion in 2020. He can also be a two-time finalist at Roland Garros.
But the Austrian, ranked 98, was outplayed in 36 Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit) warmth as he continued his return from a wrist damage which stored him off courtroom for 9 months throughout the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Rublev banked a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win on John Cain Arena — his first of the yr after two defeats in warm-up occasions, with both Australia’s Max Purcell or Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori his subsequent opponent.
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“First of all I’m happy that I was able to get through in straight sets. It was super hot today so happy I can save some energy for future matches,” stated Rublev, who reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne in 2021 and received 4 titles final yr.
“When you play against Dominic, it’s never easy.
“We are really good friends and I know he is going through not easy times, so I just want to wish him all the best to come back at the same level that he belongs as fast as possible.”
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Thiem has proven encouraging indicators on his return to the tour, rising from outdoors the highest 350 to breach the highest 100 this yr after semi-final runs final yr at Gstaad, Gijon, and Antwerp.
It was a seventh assembly between the pair however their first at a Grand Slam, with Rublev now main 5-2.
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