PARIS, May 24, 2016

Austrian youngster Dominic Thiem could be one of the dark horses at the 2016 French Open. The 22-year-old lifted the trophy in Nice last Saturday and opened his Roland Garros campaign with a 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 victory over Inigo Cervantes.

Thiem won 86% of his first service points, hitting five aces and captialized on seven of his 17 break point chances. He secured victory in two hours and 38 minutes.

“I felt good on court today but just played the wrong way in the beginning of the match. I played too much over his backhand, which is his better shot,” Thiem told afterwards.

“Nonetheless, I played a solid first round after I had a good week in Nice, which was a great preparation for Paris.” 

Thiem beat Alexander Zverev in the final of the ATP 250 event to capture his sixth tour title. He will next face with Guillermo Garcia-López another Spaniard in the second round.