Dominic Thiem survives first-round scare against American Tommy Paul

Additional reporting by Kamakshi Tandon

Tommy Paul spoke with TENNIS.com after winning the 2019 USTA Roland Garros Wildcard Challenge earlier this month. His parting thoughts? “I can’t wait to get out there and compete against the best players.”

Paul’s wish came true, as he drew one of the very best clay-court players in the world for his first-round match: Dominic Thiem.

The No. 4 seed had his hands full with the 2015 Roland Garros junior champion. After the players split the first two sets, Paul and Thiem took their neck-and-neck battle to a third-set tiebreaker. With giant hitting—necessary against his accomplished opponent—Paul raced to a 4-0 lead. But from there, the momentum abruptly and completely shifted Thiem's way. Paul committed unforced errors on three of the next four points, and that was all the opening Thiem needed. After taking the set, Thiem took the match, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

The moment may have gotten the better of Paul, who turned 22 earlier this month. But for another moment, it looked as if he was going to make the most of his major opportunity.

Overall, it was a solid showing for Paul, and a tough test for Thiem, the oddsmakers' third favorite behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to capture the title.

As for Thiem, he was happy with the way he finished.

"I wasn't playing my best today, that's for sure," Thiem said after his tough win. "But, I mean, we all could see what happens if I don't play my best tennis.

"The most positive thing I am taking from the match today is the fourth set, because I freed myself. I played way faster, way tougher for him.

"And of course, I was tough and fighting all the time and turning around."

Coming into the tournament, the 2018 finalist told Austrian press he was happy with his form.

"My play has been very, very good here for these three years -- semifinals, semifinals and final. The only goal left is tournament victory," he said.

The 26-year-old is considered among the favorites, just behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He won his first Masters event on hard court at Indian Wells, and followed up by winning Barcelona, defeating Nadal along the way.

Though Nadal has won Roland Garros 11 times and defeated Thiem in the 2018 final, the No. 4 says there's perhaps now more opportunity for others. Nadal just won the title at Rome, but it was his first win of the season.

"Nadal is always the top favorite," Thiem said. "I think and hope the gap with him has narrowed a bit, but there are a few new players who will also have a shot at the title like [Stefanos] Tsitsipas."

The Austrian will face off against world No. 91 Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in the second round.