Dominic Thiem overthrew Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco for the first time to advance to the quarterfinals of the Vienna Open for the third time in his career.
The first seed and favorite host, Thiem benefited from the crowd’s support, motivating him to keep fighting. And win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 over Verdasco who defeated Thiem in their four previous meetings, including in Rome this season.
With this victory, Thiem advanced to the 11th quarterfinals of season and the 46th quarterfinals of his career since 2016.
World number 5 Thiem may have broken in his opening service game. But he won 97 percent of his service in the second set and third set to claim his 42nd win of the season.
Standing between Dominic Thiem and one place in the semifinals is Verdasco’s compatriot, Pablo Carreno Busta.
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In another action, young Russian Andrey Rublev avenged his defeat in the 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals final when he forbid South Korea’s Hyeon Chung with convincing results 6-4, 6-2.
Champion in Moscow last week, Rublev secured the only break point he faced and will meet Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini in the quarterfinals.
Argentine tennis player Diego Schwartzman also walked into the quarterfinals. After overthrowing US tennis player Sam Querrey with a tight 6-7, 6-4 7-6 result and will challenge second seed Karen Khachanov.
One place in another quarterfinal is filled by Algeria Bedene. Who knocked out Frenchman Gilles Simon with 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. And will face Simon’s compatriot Gael Monfils who extinguished the hopes of young Italian Jannik Sinner with 6 -3, 7-6.
Previously Demi advanced to the second round in Vienna, Thiem defeated Frenchman, Wilfried Tsonga with 6-4, 7-6.
Thiem came back from a 0/40 fall in the seventh game of the first set and the top seed. He continued to appear convincing in the second set tiebreak.
Dominic Thiem, who recorded 0-2 against Wilfried Tsonga before meeting in Vienna this week. Including the defeat in Vienna in the 2013 season. Did not face a single break point and won 80 percent of his first serve.
26-year-old Thiem has made sure to appear on the ATP Finals for the fourth consecutive time in London in November. And is currently eyeing her fifth title this season.
Before taking the title home in Vienna, Thiem will face Fernando Verdasco in the second round after the Spaniard defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili. Until now, Verdasco dominated head to head against Thiem with 4-0.