Dominic Thiem targets return to top 100, reaches semi-finals at Gijon Open

Dominic Thiem, who is working on hitting peak form, will take on Andrey Rublev in the semi-final of the Gijon Open ATP 250 tournament in Spain. Thiem will be back in the top 100 if he wins the title on Sunday.

Dominic Thiem reached the semi-final of Gijon Open in Spain (AFP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Dominic Thiem reached the semi-finals of the Gijon Open ATP 250 tournament in Spain. The former US Open champion defeated No. 4 seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4 in the men’s singles quarter-final as he prepares to return to peak form following a wrist injury that kept him out of action for close to a year.

Dominic Thiem will take on top seed Andrey Rublev in the semi-final on Saturday. Thiem will be hoping to reach his first tour-level semi-fina since the ATP Finals in 2020. If he manages to win the title in Gijon, it would be his first on the tour since the US Open crown in 2020.

For Thiem, climbing up the ATP rankings charts is important as he prepares to pose a challenge once again in major tournaments, including Grand Slams. The 29-year-old was ousted in the first round at the US Open and French Open this year as he was battling his way back to form after the injury concern.

Thiem is ranked No. 132 on the ATP charts with 14 wins in 2022 and a title victory in Gijon will help the Austrian return to the top 100 in men’s sinlges rankings.

“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 [Tour] event is helping a lot,”Thiem said in an on-court interview.

Thiem, however, faces a stiff test against top seed Rublev, who outclassed Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-3 in the quarter-finals.

Rublev, who won titles in Belgrade, Dubai and Marseille earlier in 2022, will be looking to clinch the crown in Gijon and improve his standing on the ATP Race to Turin — the rankings to decide the ATP Tour Finals berth. The Russian is currently at the 6th spot in the Race to Turin Rankings.