Second seed Dominic Thiem staved off a spirited fightback from Marin Cilic to beat the former champion 6-2 6-2 3-6 6-3 on Saturday and reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open.
Thiem had won both his previous meetings with the 31st seeded Croat, and quickly stamped his authority on the evening’s final match on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court with two service breaks in each of the first two sets.
“I think the quick start was more because of him,” the Austrian said of Cilic, who was taken to five sets in his opener and four in the last round.
“He had two very tough opening rounds, long matches.”
Cilic regrouped in the third set, however, and once the former world No. 3 found his range the winners started to flow.
Thiem, who has reached three Grand Slam finals without success, began to struggle with his second serve and Cilic broke for the first time in the match to go up 4-2 and then forced a fourth set.
Thiem had to save five break points during the set and converted his only opportunity in the sixth game to nose ahead before sealing the match with a big first serve when Cilic’s return found the net.
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