Thiem overcomes Medvedev challenge, to face Zverev in US Open final

Dominic Thiem advances to his second Grand Slam final of 2020, defeating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5).

Dominic Thiem reacts after defeating Daniil Medvedev. “I’m really happy to be through. It was a great semifinal,” he said after his win.

Dominic Thiem advanced to his second Grand Slam final of 2020, digging out a win over third seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) at the US Open on Friday. He will meet Alexander Zverev, who beat Pablo Carreno Busta in the other semifinal , in the title clash on Sunday.

Thiem seized the early momentum inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, handily carrying the first set without dropping a single first-serve point, but a double fault and a forehand error saw him hand Medvedev the break and the early lead in the second.

The Australian Open runner-up spent the remainder of the frame playing catch up, converting on a critical break to level the score 5-5 before the 24-year-old Russian dragged it into a tiebreak.

Respect at the net between two great competitors. @ThiemDomi@DaniilMedwed | #USOpenpic.twitter.com/RciShrpKeT

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 12, 2020

 

The 27-year-old Austrian, who had a trainer examine his ankle before the third set, slipped and fell twice in the match, unfurling a string of frustrated exclamations in the second incident, but regained his cool to survive yet another tiebreak to clinch the affair with a power forehand and a roar. “I played my best tennis then towards the end of the sets,” said Thiem, who is gunning for a maiden Grand Slam title.

“Both tiebreaks were amazing. Tiebreaks are mentally a tough thing. I don’t like them at all to be honest. I’m really happy to be through. It was a great semi-final,” he added.