MADRID: Eighth seed Dominic Thiem is through to his first Masters 1000 semi-final after defeating Croatia’s Borna Coric 6-1, 6-4, at the Madrid Open.
The 23-year-old muscled his way through the match against Coric, who struggled to find a solution to defeat the Austrian. Thiem’s performance saw him win 81% of his first service points and saved all three break points he faced. Racing through the opening set in under 30 minutes, he was met with tougher resistance in the second before a crucial break in the seventh game secured his place in the last four.
It was only fitting that Thiem would reach his first Masters 1000 semifinal at the Caja Magica. Three years ago, he defeated Stan Wawrinka in Madrid to grab his first ever victory over a top-10 player. Since then, the tournament has stayed close to his heart.
“It means a lot. It is as a place with great memories. I had my first victory over a top-10 guy three years ago and now I’m in my first semi finals of a Masters 1000.” Said Thiem.
“I really like to play here. It is a little bit of altitude, which suits my game. I’m happy that it has happened here.”
Thiem will be hoping to continue his nostalgic feeling tomorrow when he faces Pablo Cuevas in the last four. A win would make him the first Austrian to reach the final of a Masters 1000 tournament. If Thiem wins the title this week, he could move to a ranking high of sixth in the world.
“He’s a great clay court player with one of the best kick serves. Very heavy groundstrokes, so it’s going to be tough.” Thiem said about Cuevas.
Thiem has played Cuevas once before at the 2015 French Open. On that occasion he went out in four sets.
Coric out of Rome
As Thiem plots his next offensive in the Spanish capital, Coric is preparing to return back home. During his quarterfinal match, the Croat was troubled by a sharp pain in the upper left side of his body. He received a medical time out, where the doctor manipulated the area of pain.
“I just felt a sharp pain in here (left side between his breast and shoulder) and I don’t know what it is.” Said Coric.
The Croat said that he will ‘take a picture’ of the area to send to his medical team. He has also confirmed that he will not be playing in next week’s Rome Masters, focusing instead on the upcoming French Open.
Congrats @ThiemDomi, you were better tonight! Thanks @MutuaMadridOpen, hope to be back better and stronger next year #NextGenATP @Nikecourt https://t.co/bBT1ES0nMq
— borna coric (@borna_coric) May 12, 2017
