2020 in Review: Dominic Thiem downs Alex de Minaur to hit semis

World no. 3 Dominic Thiem advanced to the first US Open semi-final following a commanding 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Alex de Minaur in two hours and four minutes. Eager to go much further than a year ago, Dominic had lost one set in New York before the semis, becoming the first Austrian player in the last four at the US Open. The Australian Open finalist had the upper hand against the young Aussie, blasting 43 winners and 31 unforced errors, leaving Alex, the first-time Major quarter-finalist, on a modest 17-25 ratio. Dominic struggled a bit on the second serve and suffered two breaks from seven chances offered to de Minaur. Alex couldn't turn that into at least one set, dropping half of the points in his games and giving serve away seven times from 13 opportunities offered to the Austrian. With controlled aggression and massive help from his initial shot, Thiem stormed over de Minaur in the opening two sets, struggling a bit in the second part of the third but moving over the top to save energy for the anticipated Medvedev encounter.

Dominic held at 15 with a service winner in the opening game and secured a break a few minutes later when Alex sprayed a forehand error. The youngster pulled it back in the next game following a forehand mistake from the Austrian, who secured the second return game at 2-1 after another loose forehand from the Aussie. Thiem had to dig deep in game five, fending off four break chances to remain in front thanks to a terrible volley from de Minaur at the net. From 40-15 in game six, Alex lost four straight points on serve to suffer the third break, allowing Thiem to close the opener with an ace for 6-1. The second set was fluid and kicked off with de Minaur's two holds at love.

Dominic Thiem advanced to the first US Open semi-final in September.

That would all change in game five, though, as he suffered a major blow after losing five straight points, finishing the game with a double fault to send Dominic 3-2 up. The Austrian confirmed the break with an ace and grabbed another one when de Minaur hit a double fault in game seven.

Serving for the set at 5-2, Thiem blasted three service winners to seal it in style, opening a massive gap and looking good to move over the top in the third. He broke in the first game and forged a 3-1 lead before de Minaur bounced back with a break in game six to level the score. The youngster defended three break points in the seventh game to gain the advantage, forcing two deuces on the return before Dominic locked the result at 4-4. Thiem clinched the crucial break at 15 in game nine and emerged at the top with a forehand down the line winner at 5-4 for his first US Open semi-final. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3aLCyTa