This month’s US Open winner Dominic Thiem returned to his winning ways on Monday, moving into the second round of the French Open 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 over Marin Cilic.
The pair were the second pair of champions at the majors to meet in as many days at Roland Garros; on Monday, Stan Wawrinka beat Andy Murray.
Third seed Thiem is among the title favourites at this year’s edition, delayed four months due to the COVID-19 situation.
Cilic won the US Open six years ago but has slipped to a 40th ranking after once reaching third.
Thiem’s win was a repeat of a victory he took over the Croat barely three weeks ago in New York. The Austrian now stands 4-0 in the series.
Thiem has lost the last two Paris finals to 12-time champion Rafael Nadal.
The third seed lost an early break in the opening set but took a 5-4 lead. Cilic saved three break points in the net game before Thiem took the set on his fourth chance from a Cilic forehand wide.
The Austrian took his lead to two sets to love as Cilcic went wide on a return.
Thiem went down a break to start the third set, got it back, then closed out the match in dominant style after just over two hours.
