Pablo Andujar, the giant killer who defeated Dominic Thiem in French Open

Coming down from two sets against a two-time French Open runner-up only to script a major upset in the first round, required a special effort by Pablo Andujar. The 35-year-old defeated Dominic Thiem 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, handing a first-round exit to the World No 4 at the Court Philippe Chatrier.

The four-and-a-half-hour game saw Andujar win 172 points and 27 games as Thiem dropped to 11-9 in five-set matches.

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Only earlier this year in the Geneva Opens, the Spaniard had defeated Roger Federer in the second round. Against the 20-grand slam winner, Andujar was trailng at 4-2 in the decider set but managed to snatch victory from right under Federer’s nose.

Who is Pablo Andujar? 

Born in Cuenca, Andujar is a four-time ATP tour winner in the singles category. He is currently ranked 68 on the ATP board, where No 32 has been his best. 

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It was seven years after turning professional that Andujar won his first ATP title at the Grand Prix Hassan II tournament in Morocco. The World No 68 then followed it with two final appearances in Stuttgart and BCR Open Romania in 2011.

Andujar and Carlos Berlocq were runner ups in the doubles category at Viña del Mar, Chile in 2012. 

The following year, the 35-year-old managed to reach the semifinals of an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament as a wild card entry. He faced Rafael Nadal and lost 6–0, 6–4. 

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Pablo Andujar had to undergo three elbow surgeries between March 2016 and April 2017. Returning to tennis in 2018, the Spanish national lost five of his first six matches at all levels.

However, Andujar made a comeback by winning his fourth ATP tournament in April 2018. He defeated Kyle Edmund in straight sets in the finals to become the lowest-ranked tour-level titlist since then-World No 550 Lleyton Hewitt.

The 35-year-old reached the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time at the US Open 2019.

With a win against Dominic Thiem, Pablo Andujar has booked a berth in the second round of the Roland Garros.

Reflecting on his victory over Federer only weeks ago, Andujar said, “Probably that win helped today. I didn’t think I was in my best shape, but the belief was the key to the win today.”