Thiem recovery road leads to Gijon semi-finals

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.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

2 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago