Dominic Thiem acquired off the mark for the 2023 ATP Tour season with a high quality win on Tuesday evening on the Argentina Open. The former World No. 3 defeated seventh seed Alex Molcan 7-6(4), 6-3 in Buenos Aires, breaking by means of in his fifth match of the yr.

“It was a good match,” stated Thiem, who received the Buenos Aires title in 2016 and 2018. “I prefer it so much right here in Buenos Aires. Already the final days in follow I used to be feeling properly.

“I won my first match of the season against a very good opponent. I stayed focussed throughout the whole match, as well in the difficult moments. So I’m happy and I’m trying to focus fully on the second round now.”

Thiem and Molcan traded breaks from 5-5 within the opening set, with Thiem racing to a 5/1 lead within the tie-break after failing to serve out the set. The 29-year-old Austrian didn’t face a break level in set two as he improved to 12-1 in Buenos Aires with the victory.

Next up for Thiem is Peruvian qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas, a 6-2, 7-5 winner towards Joao Sousa earlier on Tuesday. Third seed Lorenzo Musetti is a possible third-round opponent on the ATP 250.