Dominic Thiem eliminated in the 2nd round of qualifying for his last at Roland-Garros

The counter of Dominic Thiem’s ​​participations in the final draw of Roland-Garros will remain round, blocked at ten. Forced to go through qualifying for the first time at Porte d’Auteuil, the Austrian (30 years old) stopped in the second round, losing this Wednesday against the Finn Otto Virtanen (6-2, 7-5) .

Now 131st in the ATP rankings, the former world number 3 bid farewell to the public on a packed Suzanne-Lenglen court to attend his last performance, since the double finalist of the Parisian Grand Slam announced his retirement from sport for the end of the season .

After an entry into the running where he managed to overthrow Franco Agamenone (3-6, 6-3, 6-2), Thiem came across a much more consistent opponent, whose heaviness of strikes and power caused him torment at the start of the match. The Austrian, broken on his service game, suffered and was pushed too far from his baseline to really make the match. Especially since Virtanen, 155th in the world but still tough on clay, was in one of those days where his risk-taking paid off more often than the other way around.

Hope of a comeback finally dashed

In the end, it was only the rain that almost reversed the course of the match. Small drops fell when Virtanen served to lead 4-1. The 22-year-old Finn was less precise in these changing conditions and almost gave Thiem the break. The latter even found himself at 5-5 0-30 on his opponent’s service and hope was then emerging of a new comeback, at the time when a much heavier downpour led to the interruption of the encounter.

When they returned to the field, both players had a roof over their heads, a discovery for Thiem on the Suzanne-Lenglen. In these indoor conditions, the Austrian had a break point, but he failed to make it happen and his chance was over.

On his third match point, while the winner of the 2020 US Open had saved the previous one with a full-line forehand that made the entire stadium hold their breath, Virtanen sealed the deal and turned the court upside down in a place of celebration.

Time for a small ceremony, with the presence of tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, to retrace the highlights of Thiem’s ​​career at Roland-Garros. A story that goes back a long way, since he played in the final of the junior table in 2011 (defeat against Bjorn Fratangelo). 13 years which brought him much more happiness than superstition would suggest.