Thiem Battles Granollers, Rain At Roland Garros

The fourth-round match opposing Dominic Thiem, seeded No. 13, and unseeded Marcel Granollers was interrupted by rain tied 6-2, 6-7(2) at Roland Garros on Tuesday. Both players are aiming to reach their first Roland Garros quarter-final.

Spain’s Granollers was well-rested entering the match, having not hit a ball in match conditions since the second round. Last Thursday, he saw off Nicolas Mahut before moving into the fourth round after Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal due to a wrist injury. Thiem took advantage of his opponent’s five-day layoff, racing to a 4-1 lead before rain stopped play for a first time with the Austrian serving for the set at 5-2. After a two-hour interruption, Thiem secured the opening set on his fifth attempt.

The players exchanged breaks at the start of the second set, but the wily Granollers, who had yet to beat Thiem in three FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings, found his range. Rushing the net at strategic moments, the 2014 doubles finalist won a one-sided tie-break before inclement weather stopped the match again.

The winner of the match will face Ernests Gulbis, a semi-finalist two years ago, or 12^th seed David Goffin in the quarter-finals. Gulbis, No. 80 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, made a quick start and led 3-0 before rain interrupted play. On the eve of the tournament, he parted ways with coach Gunther Bresnik, who currently works with Thiem.