US Open tennis: Red Bull can sparks Dominic Thiem's angry outburst

Dominic Thiem was losing patience. Photo / Twitter

Second seed Dominic Thiem eased into the third round of the US Open on Friday with a straight-sets victory — but his mood was soured despite winning on his birthday.

The Austrian celebrated turning 27 by defeating India's Sumit Nagal 6-3 6-3 6-2 inside an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.

However, Thiem lost his cool with officials when, in need of a little pick-me-up, he asked for a can of Red Bull to be brought out during a change of ends.

The request was initially denied because US Open organisers didn't want the Red Bull label to be visible — as the energy drink company is not a sponsor of the grand slam.

Thiem was furious, suggesting a simple way around that.

"Give me a plain cup, I'll somehow cover it and then I'll put it in," Thiem complained. "You guys are crazy about anti-doping and then you want to carry the Red Bull can out and you guys fill it in a plain cup.

"What the heck is this? Bring me a plain cup please and I'll fill it in."

Thiem eventually got his wish. An official brought out a can of Red Bull then tried to cover it with a towel as the right-hander poured it into a plain cup.

Thiem FINALLY got his Red Bull in a cup.

However, the USTA-guy is doing everything in his power not to show the label. Lol. pic.twitter.com/PexGXxGJmM

— Alex Theodoridis (@AlexTheodorid1s) September 3, 2020

Thiem addressed the incident after his straight sets win, saying he understood the Red Bull can couldn't be seen on court. He described the situation as a "little bit awkward" and defended himself for wanting to see first-hand what was being poured into his cup.

"They wanted to go out with the open can and fill it in a plain cup without me observing it. That's what p***ed me off a little bit because the anti-doping rules are so strict," Thiem said in his post-match press conference.

"I don't want to lose the can out of my sight.

"In general, they are so strict rules these days, and they propose me to fill the can in a plain cup without me observing it.

"That p***ed me off a little bit."

Thiem will play 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic in round three.

DEMON SURGES ONWARDS

Elsewhere, Vasek Pospisil knocked fellow Canadian Milos Raonic out of the major with a four-set win in their second-round clash while Andrey Rublev advanced to the third round with a 6-2 6-4 7-7 win over Frenchman Gregoire Barrere.

Aussie Alex de Minaur powered on, defeating 2013 US Open semi-finalist Richard Gasquet in four sets after countryman Jordan Thompson also won through to round three after disposing of Egor Gerasimov yesterday.