Fabulous Fabbiano stuns Thiem in U.S. Open first round

Aug 27, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Thomas Fabbiano of Italy reacts after beating Dominic Thiem of Austria in the first round on day two of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dominic Thiem’s latest bid for Grand Slam glory came to an abrupt end at the U.S. Open on Tuesday when he fell to unseeded Thomas Fabbiano 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-2 in a shock first-round exit, the biggest upset of the men's competition so far.

The fourth-seeded Austrian’s blistering serve yielded 14 aces but it was not enough to overcome the 30-year-old Fabbiano, whose fearsome forehand helped him save nine out of the 10 break points he faced.

Aug 27, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Thomas Fabbiano of Italy reacts after beating Dominic Thiem of Austria in the first round on day two of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The 25-year-old Thiem did himself no favours, committing 48 unforced errors during the match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, 28 more than his Italian opponent.

“I beat a top-10 guy in Wimbledon and another one here,” said Fabbiano, who upset world number eight Stefanos Tsitsipas in their first-round meeting at the All England Club in July.

“I’m starting to like to play these big matches and my game is coming better and better.”

Aug 27, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria hits to Thomas Fabbiano of Italy in the first round on day two of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Thiem said he was fatigued after the second set and that he was "far away from 100%.

"Congratulations to (Fabbiano) and I'm happy for him. But it was not the real me there on the court," Thiem said. "But I don't know how much his performance is worth because (it) was not against the real me."

For Thiem, who toppled Roger Federer earlier this year in the final at Indian Wells, the loss marks the latest frustration in his bid to claim a Grand Slam title.

Aug 27, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Thomas Fabbiano of Italy celebrates match point against Dominic Thiem of Austria in a first round match on day two of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Thiem was beaten by the King of Clay, Rafa Nadal in the 2018 and 2019 French Open finals, as well as in their quarter-final match at last year's U.S. Open.

(Reporting by Amy Tennery; additional reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Toby Davis and Ken Ferris)

Aug 27, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria leaves the court after losing to Thomas Fabbiano of Italy in the first round on day two of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 27, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Thomas Fabbiano of Italy shakes hands with Dominic Thiem of Austria after their match in the first round on day two of the 2019 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports