Thiem wins on Astana debut while Giron edges Wawrinka in three-tiebreak thriller 

Ravi Ubha

Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka experienced different tiebreak emotions in the first round of the Astana Open on Thursday.

It meant the Grand Slam winners won’t be meeting in round two of the ATP 250.

Shortly after Wawrinka lost to Marcos Giron, Thiem defeated one of 2023’s breakthrough players, Juan Pablo Varillas, 6-3, 7-6 (8).

The 67th-ranked Peruvian overcame Thiem when they last met on clay in February at the Argentina Open but Astana marked Varillas’ first ever indoor match at tour level.

Not so for Thiem.

But Thiem was contesting his first match since retiring from the US Open in late August due to stomach inflammation.

The Austrian led 2-0 and managed to cling on to his serve in the opener. All but one of his service games went to 30-all.

Varillas — who likes to dictate with his forehand — finally broke through for 3-1 in the second yet immediately relinquished serve. 

As they battled back and forth at the National Tennis Center, Varillas saved two break points at 4-4 with aces and Thiem fended off a set point with a forehand winner at 4-5.

Even more drama ensued in the tiebreak.

Thiem challenged an apparent double fault at 5-5 and was proved right. A volley winner earned him a match point.

Varillas’ forehand was subsequently called wide at 5-6 but he successfully challenged and won the replayed point.

Thiem saved two more set points and clinched the contest when Varillas’ backhand found the net.

«I’m really happy that I came through,» said the 2020 US Open champion. «It was a tough match against a tough opponent. I started very well but still it was my first match since the US Open.

«I got a little bit tight, it was a very close match in the second set. I had to save some crucial break points and set points. But it’s very important to be through in two sets.»

Giron honored to play Wawrinka

Giron upended Wawrinka 6-7 (8), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (6) to prevent a first duel between the major winners since 2017.

The rare three-tiebreak thriller was even rarer because both players didn’t face a break point.

Wawrinka crunched 15 aces and tallied 91% of his first-serve point while his American foe countered with eight aces and won 81% of his own first-serve points.

It was a special win for the counterpuncher, who at No. 82 sits at his lowest ranking since May 2021.

He recalled watching Wawrinka in his home state of California years ago.

«I remember the first time going to Indian Wells and I saw him ripping the ball and it really stood out, and this was before his breakthrough,» said Giron. «I mean of course his titles and numbers speak for themselves, but it’s really an honor to play him — and win.

«I served really well throughout and I guess I just made a couple more shots than him.»

In the final tiebreak, Giron took a mini-break lead at 4-4 as Wawrinka’s forehand that seemed destined to be a winner clipped the tape and sailed wide.

Giron erred on the ensuing point but earned a first match point at 6-5, saved by the three-time Grand Slam winner when he defended superbly off a crunched return.

Wawrinka’s slice wide brought up a second match point, which Giron grabbed thanks largely to a backhand volley on the line.

‘Stan the Man’ also lost his opener last season in Astana from a set up to Adrian Mannarino.

Mannarino happy to be back

Mannarino began play on center court by beating his good friend Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Even though he prevailed against his fellow Frenchman in their lone official match and is higher ranked, the sixth seed said he wasn’t confident heading in because Rinderknech usually beats him in practice.

«It was really close in the first set,» said Mannarino. «I got lucky in the end. It made a switch.»

The left-hander faced several deficits in the first set. He trailed 2-0 and saved a set point on serve at 5-6 — taking the play to Rinderknech and finishing with a forehand winner.

He matched a personal best by collecting a 33rd win of the season.

Mannarino has been a regular in Astana, making the final in 2020, quarterfinals last season and the doubles final in 2022.

«I really like the tournament,» he said. «The organization is so nice and everyone is nice with us here. There’s no reason for me not to come back. I hope I’m going to stay until the end of the week.»

There was heartbreak for another Frenchman, Gregoire Barrere, later on center court, against qualifier Jurij Rodionov.

Barrere saw two match points evaporate in the Austrian’s 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory. He had little chance on either, however, as his left-handed foe — who owns a Challenger title in Kazakhstan — struck two aces.

Top-seed Tallon Griekspoor, meanwhile, discovered his first opponent.

The Dutchman plays qualifier Sho Shimabukuro in the second round after the world No. 148 upset Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2, 6-4.

Shimabukuro thus recovered from his three-and-a-half hour qualifying match on Wednesday.

Another qualifier, Alibek Kachmazov, 21, collected his first ATP win and next meets Mannarino.