Dominic Thiem beat Robin Haase on Monday for the first time in three attempts. The 22-year old Austrian needed three sets to advance to the second round in Basel.

Thiem Blanks In The Opening Set

Nothing went right for Dominic Thiem in the opening set on Monday. Thiem was broken in the opening game of the set as Robin Haase quickly took the lead 1-0. Haase would back that up with a love service hold as he took a firm lead early. Thiem would continue to struggle to get his first serve in as he was broken again in the third game to allow Haase to race out to a 3-0 lead. Haase would need to save a break chance on his serve in the fourth game, but he did so and then broke Thiem a third time as he rolled to a 6-0 win in the opener. For the set, Thiem got pounded on his second serve with Haase winning 11 of 12 points. The Dutchman was much better with his own serve as he landed 70 percent of his first serves in, allowing him to win 11 of 12 points off his first serve.

Second Set Nail Biter

The second set saw Thiem begin to find his footing as his service games found their rhythm. The Austrian upped his first serve percentage which allowed him to dominate his service games. Thiem won 88 percent of his first serve points in the set. Haase was not outdone as he kept his serve pumping, winning 17 of 19 first serve points. With both men serving extremely well, service holds were the name of the game as the set would go to a tiebreak after each player held serve six times.

In the breaker, things stayed even until 3-3 when Haase cracked as Thiem worked a mini break for a 4-3 lead. Thiem would hold twice for a 6-3 lead and set point. The Austrian would even the match as he took the tie break 7-5 with just the one point separating the two. Thiem won a single point more than Haase in the set, 37-36, with the point in the breaker off Haase's serve being the key.

Thiem Finishes Strong

The third set again featured lots of service holds, but it was Robin Haase who was struggling to find his game. Haase was putting just 44 percent of his first serves into play which gave Thiem quite a few looks at second serves. The Austrian would win half of the 20 points played off Haase's second serve in the set. Thiem kept his own service games tight as he won 24 of 31 points in the final set on serve.

Haase offered up the only break point early as he fought it off to hold at 3-2. The pair would continue to trade service holds through ten games. It was the eleventh game that found Thiem in position to take control as he worked to a break point at 15-40 on Haase's serve. The Austrian converted for a 6-5 lead and would close easily on serve to survive with an 0-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 win.

Second Round Matchup For Thiem

Thiem now awaits the winner of the first round match between fifth seed Richard Gasquet and Jiri Vesely. Thiem and Vesely have met three times with Thiem owning a 2-1 record against the Czech. All their meetings took place on clay. Gasquet and Thiem have never played each other.