Dominic Thiem defeated Francisco Cerundolo after a gruelling two hours of play, prevailing in three sets, and advancing to face Hurkacz in the quarterfinals.
For Thiem, who had defeated Cerundolo in Gijon the previous week as well, it was an important victory. This match was far more competitive, and Thiem finished well coming back from a break down to boost his confidence quite a bit.
“That’s why I work hard every day, to be able after two hours with a very close score, to play good shots, to play good tennis, because that is when it matters most,” explained Thiem after the match.
“At 6-5 in the third, you have to come up with good tennis to be able to bring the match over the finish line, and luckily today it was my turn.”
It was a very interesting match as Thiem was able to have a brilliant start, a poor second set and a brilliant finish: “It’s always difficult and interesting to play somebody two weeks in a row. It’s a little bit strange, but I came out playing really good, 6-1 in the first set, but I know that he is a great player so it was obvious in mind also that It was not going to continue that way."
Thiem has played in multiple quarterfinals this year although he hasn't made it past the semifinal stage on a few occasions. Hurkacz presents an enormous task, and Thiem is well aware.
“[I'm] 0-3 against him. For two years he has been [one of] the world’s best, especially indoors. Unbelievable serve, we just played three or four weeks ago in Metz, where he had a pretty easy win against me, and I hope I can make it more difficult for him tomorrow and be able to make another step ahead.”
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