5 January 2017 | Alex Sharp

Sam Groth’s progress at the Brisbane International has been halted by the soaring talent of Dominic Thiem 7-6(5) 6-3 in the second round.

Groth, playing as a wildcard at the Queensland Tennis Centre, was looking to build on his hard fought three-sets triumph over Pierre-Hugues Herbert but the world No.8 prevailed with a commanding performance.

Both players held serve throughout a tense opening set to force a tie-break. Despite Groth winning more points and firing down seven aces, it was Thiem who stole the set having forced a wayward forehand from the Australian.

Groth was forced to fend off two break points at 2-3 in the second set and canvassed the net well to stay in touch. However Thiem earned another chance at 3-4 with a remarkable angled backhand winner to edge into the ascendancy.

The Austrian served out the 90 minute match to love and will take on Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals after the Bulgarian defeated Nicolas Mahut 6-2-6-4.

World No.180 Groth will re-group hoping to take advantage of his wildcard spot at the Australian Open later this month.