Home star Thiem into Kitzbuhel quarters

Dominic Thiem has outlasted qualifier Sebastian Ofner 6-2 3-6 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals of the ATP event in Kitzbuhel.

The 2020 US Open champion was a break down twice in the deciding set and saved two break points when serving for the match on Wednesday, before prevailing over his fellow Austrian.

The 28-year-old Thiem, who came back in March from a long-term wrist injury, has now reached at least the quarters in the last three tournaments he has played, including Bastad and Gstaad.

“It was an unbelievable atmosphere once again. Great afternoon to play tennis again and really happy to get the win,” Thiem said in his on-court interview.

“We know each other very well, practising together a lot of times.

“It was a great, great fight at the end and happy to be through.”

The former world No.3, who won the clay-court tournament in 2019, will next face next Yannick Hanfmann after the German beat Ivan Gakhov 6-3 6-7 (5-5) 6-4.

Three seeded Spanish players made the last eight after winning their second-round matches in straight sets.

Third-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut eliminated Austrian wildcard entry Jurij Rodionov 6-1 6-4, fifth-seeded Albert Ramos-Vinolas defeated Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru 6-3 6-4 and seventh-seeded Pedro Martinez beat Federico Coria of Argentina 6-4 6-3.

Fourth seed Aslan Karatsev of Russia was ousted by Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 7-5 6-3 and Czech Jiri Lehecka upset eighth-seeded Joao Sousa of Portugal 7-6 (8-6) 1-6 6-3.

At the Croatia Open, second-seeded Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Jaume Munar 6-4 6-4.

The 20-year-old Italian, in his first match since losing in the Wimbledon quarters to eventual champion Novak Djokovic, broke his Spanish opponent four times and saved two break points before converting his sixth match point.

Sinner will meet another Spaniard, Roberto Carballes Baena, who came back from a set down to upset fifth-seeded Alex Molcan of Slovakia 3-6 6-2 6-3.

Third-seeded Holger Rune extended his losing streak to seven matches after he was beaten by Bernabe Zapata Miralles of Spain 3-6 6-3 6-2. The 19-year-old Dane has failed to win a match since reaching the last eight at the French Open.