Dominic Thiem searching for singles title in Rio de Janeiro

5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria hits to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina on day eight of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Dominic Thiem of Austria hits to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina on day eight of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dominic Thiem is the current world No. 8. He is searching for his eighth career ATP singles title this week at the 2017 Rio Open.

Dominic Thiem is highest seeded remaining player at the 2017 Rio Open.

The world No. 8 is set to face fifth seed, Albert Ramos Vinolas, in a semifinals match in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The path to glory is wide open after Kei Nishikori was upset in his opening match.

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The Japanese tennis player lost in straight sets during his opening match at the Rio Open. Being the top-seeded player in the tournament, the loss was a major misstep for Nishikori.

The upset to Nishikori, however, opened up the path to a title for Dominic Thiem.

During the Sofia Open in early February, Thiem was upset in his opening match. He was the No. 1 seed at the tournament. Having reached the world No. 7 position late last year, and now sitting at No. 8, Thiem is striving to hang on to a top 10 ranking.

A win in Rio would go a long way to help Thiem remain on top.

The 23-year-old Austrian player is part of a younger generation of players making waves on the ATP World Tour. He is already proven in terms of his play, but now he must show the sport if he should be considered one of the best.

Dominic Thiem needs to win titles. Rio de Janeiro this week is a chance to do just that. With the French Open just two months away, Thiem must take advantage of these ATP tournaments leading up to the Grand Slam.

Next: 10 Best Men's Players in Open Era

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