After breezing through his opening round match 6-3 6-3 against Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Murray struggled against the World number 113.
He started strongly, breaking twice to take a 3-0 lead in the opening set. The tenacious youngster then broke back, giving Murray only a single break advantage. This was all he needed though, taking the opening set 6-4.
Much to Murray's annoyance, Thiem refused to go quietly, the 20-year-old swinging freely as he pegged Murray back. The frustration showed after Thiem got the desired break, Murray smashing his racket into his foot. The Austrian showed no sign of nerves as he took the second set 6-3.
Murray rediscovered his rhythm in the third set, battling to break early. From there it was simply a matter of holding serve, as the Scot eventually ground out a 6-3 victory to progress to the quarter-finals.
Playing in his first tournament since his Australian Open defeat to Roger Federer, Murray is aiming to replicate his Rotterdam experience in 2009 when he overcame Rafael Nadal in the final. In order to do that though he will have to overcome Marin Cilic in the next round.
Fresh off the back of claiming his 10th ATP Tour title last week in Zagreb, Cilic is in imperious form, unbeaten in seven matches and seeking vengeance after his Queen's final loss to Murray last year.
Cilic overcame fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4 6-4 on his way to the quarter-final.
Published on SEaT Capital.
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