Dominic Thiem plays his last Major match at the US Open

08/27/2024 09:25 AM

Four years after winning his only Major title at the US Open, Dominic Thiem returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium for his final ride at Majors. The Austrian will retire in a couple of months following unsolved issues with his troubled wrist, ending his tennis journey at 31. The Austrian received the US Open wild card and faced the 13th seed, Ben Shelton, in the first round. The American scored a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 triumph in an hour and 50 minutes, honoring his rival and moving into the second round. The home favorite served at 74% and barely lost a point behind the first serve. Shelton had no issues on the second serve eighter, defending the only break point and mounting the pressure on his opponent. Thiem fought well in the opening set but could not extend the battle, especially after landing in 46% of the first serve. The Austrian gave away 45% of the points in his games, and the American turned them into five breaks from 11 opportunities.

Dominic stayed in touch in the opening eight games before fading from the court, dropping 14 of the final 18 games. Shelton was off to a flying start behind the initial shot, losing one game in the opening four service games and keeping the pressure on the other side. Thiem was ready to follow that pace, serving well and landing a service winner in the eighth game for 4-4. Ben provided another fine hold in game nine, firing a kick serve and building his fifth advantage. The home favorite stepped in on the return in the tenth game and extended it from 0-40. Dominic squandered his chances and faced three set points. The Austrian netted a forehand on the third, losing serve and dropping the opener 6-4 after 40 minutes.

Shelton saved the only break point in the first game of the second set and climbed back from 15-40 in the next one to secure his second straight break and move a set and a break in front. The American served well in games three and five, opening a 4-1 advantage in no time. The Austrian struggled behind the initial shot in the sixth game, fending off three break points and remaining within one break deficit. Ben held at love for 5-2 and made another push on the return in the next one. He earned set points with a smash winner and converted the second after Dominic's loose forehand, opening two sets to love advantage. Shelton barely dropped a point in his games in the third set, and Thiem could not follow that pace. The 2020 champion lost serve in the fourth game and served to stay in the match at 2-5. Ben generated a match point after Dominic's wild forehand and converted it, moving into the second round.