Dominic Thiem gains momentum with back-to-back wins: "I am definitely back"

The 28-year-old Austrian picked up his first ATP-level win in more than a year in the first round of Bastad this week, and then got his second against a Top 20 opponent, Roberto Bautista Agut, in three sets.

That's huge for Thiem, who was 0-6 this season coming into the tournament.

"I beat [Emil] Ruusuvuori and today I beat Bautista Agut—really good opponents," said Thiem after his second victory in Sweden. "If I can beat them, I am definitely back.

"It is a process, but I am going the right way. I beat two Top 50 players in long matches, so I can definitely say that I'm back on a very, very good path."

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Thiem is a two-time Roland Garros runner-up.

On Friday, Thiem's run came to an end against Sebastian Baez in three sets.

Thiem also noted improvements in his serving and also his forehand, suggesting he's getting back the game that won him the 2020 US Open.

"I'm really happy the way I played," he said. "It's extremely important for my game and gives me confidence."

Following his hard-won Grand Slam victory, Thiem took a while to regain his motivation, and then developed a wrist problem at Mallorca in 2021 that kept him off the tour until just before the start of this season's clay events.

Thiem is ranked No. 339 but playing with a protected ranking.