French Open 2021: Dominic Thiem suffers shock defeat in first round to World No. 68 Pablo Andujar

Reigning US Open champion Dominic Thiem suffered a shock first-round loss at the French Open on Sunday after leading World No. 68 Pablo Andujar of Spain by 2 sets. Thiem, a 2-time runner-up at French Open, lost the plot and had very little answers to an inspired effort from Andujar in a battle that extended to 4 hours and 28 minutes.

35-year-old Pablo Andujar came back from 2 sets down to win the first-round match 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 at the Philippe Chattrier. It was also his first win against a top 5 opponent. He brought up his 150th win at the tour level.

Notably, Andujar’s biggest Grand Slam victory comes a week after he defeated 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at the Geneva Open wherein he reached the semi-final.

“It’s special, don’t know how long I am going to play because I am 35. This win is a real gift. So happy about the result,” Andujar said during a court side interview.

VAMOS! He’s done it.

@AndujarPablo overcomes a two-set deficit to upset No.4 seed Dominic Thiem 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, handing the two-time finalist his first opening round loss in eight trips to #RolandGarros. pic.twitter.com/i1tsBUNstF

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2021

“A couple of weeks ago, I had another gift when I defeated Roger Federer in Geneva. That win definitely helped me to beat Thiem,” he added.

Dominic Thiem, who is one of the highly-rated players on the red dirt, hasn’t had a good year at the Grand Slam as he was ousted in the 4th round at French Open.

It was not an ideal buildup for Thiem as he suffered early exits in Rome and Lyon. He was beaten in the semi-final by Alexander Zverev in Madrid Masters earlier this month.

Grigor Dimitrov retires with injury, Giles Simon ousted

Meanwhile, 16th seed Grigor Dimitrov’s Roland Garros campaign came to an early end as he retired hurt after winning the first two sets of his first-round match against USA’s Giron. He was leading 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 0-3 before retiring.

Frenchman Giles Simon was beaten 6-4 6-1 7-6(5) by Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in the first round. Fucsovics will next face Italy’s 27th seed Fabio Fognini, who eased past Gregoire Barrere 6-4 6-1 6-4.