Thiem had said it was vital he came through in straight sets against Sock, such was the recognition of the road ahead if he was to push deep again at the major at which he had reached the semi-finals or better for the past four years.
He delivered on that and again against the young Norwegian.
Former champion, the in-form Stan Wawrinka, looms as a possible fourth-round assignment. Some welcome to the second week that would be.
“Basically I feel fine. Of course I start to feel all the last weeks physically, also emotionally,” Thiem said. “I really love this tournament, and I would love to go deep to play well.
“I do everything to get a good recovery. Today I had an early match. That is good, so I think I'm going to have more than 48 hours to rest.
“So try to put [an] easy but good practice in tomorrow and two good treatments with my physio. Good food, good sleep. Then put everything I have into the match on Sunday.”
No one suggested adding that second star in Paris only four weeks later was going to be easy.