Thiem through to first ATP semi-final since Madrid 2021

July 22, 2022

Dominic Thiem defeated Juan Pablo Varillas in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Swiss Open Gstaad, breaking back into the top 200 in the process

Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Open in 2021

Imago / Panoramic

Former world No 3 Dominic Thiem moved into the semi-finals of the Swiss Open with a straight sets win over Peruvian qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas at the Roy Emerson Arena in Gstaad on Friday.

Thiem needed one hour and 46 minutes to win 6-4, 6-3 against Varillas to advance to his first semi-final on the ATP Tour since Madrid in 2021.

Thiem, ranked No 274, will face the winner of the match between Spaniard Pedro Martinez, the No 5 seed, and Italian Matteo Berrettini, the second seed, next.

How to seal a win like a boss, by Dominic Thiem 👇

(🎥 @TennisTV)pic.twitter.com/kDzzN8U7cm
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) July 22, 2022

The 2020 US Open champion is projected to move back into the top 200 of the world rankings next week.

“I was happy I was able to break the nerves” – Thiem

Speaking on court after his win, Thiem, who failed to serve out the first set at 5-2, said he was happy to be able to break the nerves and get another good win under his belt.

“I played a good match yesterday and I was able to back it up today.” Thiem said in his on-court interview. “Some things I didn’t like that much. I failed to serve out at [5-2], but it was also the nerves a little bit because it is my first semi-final in one and a half years. I need the points to go back up the rankings. I was happy I was able to break the nerves.”

It was Thiem’s third win this week, having defeated Frenchman Hugo Gaston, the No 7 seed (1-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7)) and Argentine Federico Delbonis (7-6 (6), 6-3) in his first two matches.

After losing the first seven matches of his comeback, which began in March, Thiem is starting to build some nice momentum heading into the U.S. summer swing.

He snapped his losing streak at the Salzburg Challenger earlier this month and then won back-t-back matches in Bastad last week before his three this week.

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