Thiem, for his first semi-final on the circuit since that of the Masters 1000 in Madrid in May 2021, will be opposed to the Italian Matteo Berrettini (15th in the world), who overcame the Spaniard Pedro in 2 h 16 min Martinez (52nd) 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 with 15 aces in passing.
The Austrian had reached the quarter-finals of the Swedish tournament in Bastad last week, by chaining for the first time in more than a year two victories in a row.
"I'm going into this semi-final with a free spirit trying to play my best tennis. Before going to Bastad last week, I didn't expect to reach the quarters. Same for this tournament where I don't I didn't expect to go to the semi-finals. It's very, very positive, I'm very happy with my progress."
Winner of the US Open in September 2020, Thiem, 28, had a difficult year with a serious right wrist injury in June 2021 which ended his season, then the Covid-19 which hit him in the time of his return to competition last March.
His last final on the circuit dates back to December 2020, at the Masters, where he was beaten by Russian Daniil Medvedev.
© 2022 AFP