Dominic Thiem claims ‘very special’ win, the biggest of his comeback yet
Dominic Thiem has defeated Hubert Hurkacz to secure the biggest ranking win yet of his tour comeback.
The former world number three recovered from a set down and saved three match points to defeat the world number 11 3-6, 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-4). It means Thiem advances to a second tour semi-final in as many weeks.
“It’s very special,” Thiem said of winning the match having saved match points. “This victory especially is unbelievable because it’s a first victory over an almost top 10 guy in my comeback process.
“It was unbelievable to play. Great atmosphere, close match. So thank you very much to everybody.”
? STATEMENT MADE ?@domithiem saves 3 match points in a dramatic 2nd set tiebreak to get his 1st win over Hurkacz, defeating the top seed 3-6 7-6 7-6 to reach his 3rd semifinal of the season!#EuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/73hSLLFSMf
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 21, 2022
Dominic Thiem went into the match without a win over Hurkacz in three previous encounters. And it looked as though a fourth loss was on the cards deep in the second set tiebreak. The Austrian pushes up 20 spots in the live ATP rankings with victory to 112th in the world.
His previous best win in 2022 came against world number 19 Grigor Dimitrov in Winston Salem in August. The Bulgaria retired halfway through the second set after winning the opener that day.
Thiem will face Sebastian Korda next for a place in his first tour final since his 2020 US Open triumph. Korda crushed Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0, 6-2 to book his spot in the last four before Thiem.
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