Thiago Monteiro topples Thiem at Rio

Dominic Thiem continues to struggle to find winning form. Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro took advantage and notched a much-needed win on home soil on Monday in Rio.

Monteiro edged out 2017 champion Dominic Thiem 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (2) to advance to the second round of the Rio Open at the Jockey Club Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro on Monday night.

“It couldn’t be better, to play at home, to play in front of my family, this lovely crowd, my friends and everything,” said Monteiro after his victory. “It was a tough beginning of the year but at the same time I feel that I’m practicing at a good level and always trying to push harder.”

Monteiro entered the match with a 1-6 record on the season, his only win coming at Davis Cup. Thiem carried a 1-4 record, and could not find a way past the 28-year-old Brazilian.

“I had some tough losses in close matches and now I could win my first match here in such a big tournament, it’s very, very important to me,” Monteiro said. “I know that Dominic is still not playing at his better leve. I’m such a great fan of him. I just tried to push harder because in any week he can play really good and be the same player he used to be.”

Monteiro, ranked No 83, will face the winner of the match between Argentinian lucky loser Juan Manuel Cerundolo and second seed Cameron Norrie next.

Rio de Janeiro ATP500, other first-round results (Jockey Club Brasileiro, clay, USD 2.013.940, most recent results first):

• Thomaz Bellucci vs. Sebastian Baez
• Jaume Munar vs. Bernabe Zapata Miralles
• Dusan Lajovic vs. Diego Schwartzman
• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Mateus Alves
• Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs. Tomas Martin Etcheverry
• Fabio Fognini vs. Tomas Barrios Vera
• Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs. Cameron Norrie
• Roberto Carballes Baena vs. Francisco Cerundolo
• Pedro Cachin vs. Daniel Elahi Galan
• Hugo Gaston vs. Juan Pablo Varillas
• Lorenzo Musetti vs. Nicolas Jarry
• Laslo Djere beat Facundo Bagnis (Q): 6-2, 3-2 ret.
• Hugo Dellien beat João Sousa: 6-0, 6-2
• Alex Molcan (9) beat Joao Fonseca (WC): 6-0, 6-3
• Pedro Martinez beat Cristian Garin: 7-6, 6-4

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