The 29-year-old Austrian who once stood third in the world before a 2021 wrist injury followed by COVID set him back months, defeated fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 6-3.
Thiem, now ranked 165th, last got this far in July at Gstaad, where he lost in the semis to Matteo Berrettini.
He needed 94 minutes to advance: “From the first match on, I have felt great on this court,” the winner said.
“A lot of control. A super nice atmosphere and I have enjoyed playing a lot since Monday.
“I am super happy that I am still in the tournament at the weekend and I can play another match.
“It is very important for me as I am trying to climb up the rankings. The semi-finals at an ATP event is helping a lot.”
Thiem has been climbing the rankings this week in the rolling calculation, with his level now up to 132; a title victory at the weekend could send him back to the Top 100.
His last final was the year-end ATP Finals in 2020, where he lost to Daniil Medvedev in London.
Dominic Thiem took another big step in his long-running injury recovery as the former US Open winner reached the semi-final of the ATP event in Gijon, northern Spain, on Friday
The 29-year-old Austrian who once stood third in the world before a 2021 wrist injury followed by COVID set him back months, defeated fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 6-3.
Thiem, now ranked 165th, last got this far in July at Gstaad, where he lost in the semis to Matteo Berrettini.
He needed 94 minutes to advance: “From the first match on, I have felt great on this court,” the winner said.
“A lot of control. A super nice atmosphere and I have enjoyed playing a lot since Monday.
“I am super happy that I am still in the tournament at the weekend and I can play another match.
“It is very important for me as I am trying to climb up the rankings. The semi-finals at an ATP event is helping a lot.”
Thiem has been climbing the rankings this week in the rolling calculation, with his level now up to 132; a title victory at the weekend could send him back to the Top 100.
His last final was the year-end ATP Finals in 2020, where he lost to Daniil Medvedev in London.
