WASHINGTON, September 11, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
When second seed Dominic Thiem beat Alex de Minaur to secure the final berth in the men’s US Open semifinals, he made some history on Wednesday inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The World No. 3 became the first Austrian to reach a US Open semifinal round – ever. When you look back on recent history, Thomas Muster and Jurgen Melzer never made to the final four. Neither did Barbara Schett or Barbara Paulus.
The first Austrian man into the US Open semifinals.
History made. pic.twitter.com/DqNdS4lF79
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2020
On Friday evening, Thiem will face third seed Daniil Medvedev for a berth in Sunday’s championship final.
Thiem’s 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win over the 21st seed de Minaur was his second against the Sydney native after beating him in the 2017 US Open first round. The 21-year-old de Minaur was attempting to become the youngest US Open semifinalist since Juan Martín del Potro in 2009.
“I had a great feeling from the first moment on,” said Thiem, 26, a native of WienerNeustadt, Austria. Thiem served 11 aces, hit 44 winners and converted seven of 13 break-point opportunities in his win over de Minaur.
Closing in style 💪😎
Dominic Thiem is into the semifinals for the first time in New York.@ThiemDomi | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/KwcmKQYzCS
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2020
With Novak Djokovic disqualified, Roger Federer recovering from knee surgery and Rafael Nadal opting to not travel to the United States during the pandemic to defend his 2019 title, it means a new Grand Slam men’s champion will be crowned at the US Open for the first time since Marin Cilic in 2014.
“There is no Roger, Rafa or Novak, but there is Daniil, Sascha and Pablo. They are three amazing players. Every single one of us deserves his first major title,” said Thiem during after his quarterfinal victory. “Everyone will give it all and that’s what’s on the mind. Once we step on the court, the other three are forgotten anyway.”
The 3x Slam finalist is looking to go one better this year…@ThiemDomi #USOpen pic.twitter.com/qMbfnWUiEA
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2020
WTA adds Premier tournament in Czech Republic
On Thursday, the WTA announced an addition to its 2020 schedule by adding a Premier level tournament in October.
The J&T Banka Ostrava Open 2020 in Ostrava, Czech Republic, a Premier level tournament, will be held the week of October 19. The Ostravar Arena will host the indoor hard court tournament from October 19-25. Players will compete for $528,500 in prize money.
The J&T Banka Ostrava Open tournament will feature a 28-player singles main draw and a 16-team doubles draw. Also, there will be a 24-player qualifying draw held October 17-18 with six players earning spots in the main draw.
🗣 The @JTBankaOpen has been added to the WTA schedule for the week of October 19—>https://t.co/0JaFc1KZ8Z pic.twitter.com/aZjj8N5crf
— wta (@WTA) September 10, 2020
The revolving WTA coaching door
I would like to announce that after the Us Open, I decided to stop my cooperation with Sasha Bajin. I want to thank him for everything and wish him a good luck! It was a good experience for me.💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/siDNJ1rc3W
— Dayana Yastremska (@D_Yastremska) September 10, 2020
Remembering history
Bianca Andreescu’s open letter to Billie Jean King & Original 9 before 50th anniversary https://t.co/Z14moRhYLP
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) September 10, 2020
On location: Rome
👀 Avvistato! Rafa Nadal è già qui, alle prese con i primi allenamenti.😍 #IBI20 #tennis #Nadal pic.twitter.com/HjDHeMubHG
— Internazionali Bnl (@InteBNLdItalia) September 10, 2020
By the numbers
100: Career titles held by tonight’s semifinal quartet: Serena Williams (73), Victoria Azarenka (21), Naomi Osaka (5), Jennifer Brady (1).
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) September 10, 2020
Azarenka on what she’s learned over her 22 matches against Serena: “I always know one thing: the match is never over. I think the same goes on the other side. No matter what the score is, the match is never going to be over.” #USOpen
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 10, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Petra Kvitova / Enjoying life’s simple pleasures
Enjoying life’s simple pleasures, like sitting in a restaurant 😄 pic.twitter.com/89PuMWkoNW
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) September 10, 2020
Barbora Strycova / I made it to Rome!
I MADE IT TO ROME! 😍 pic.twitter.com/vTDOo9Psi7
— Barbora Strycova (@BaraStrycova) September 10, 2020
Elise Mertens / Thank you @usopen
Good couple of weeks in NY😊I’m happy I took the chance and came to New York to play the sport I love. Despite the loss yesterday, another quarter final in the books🤗
Thank you @usopen for making the players feel safe during these circumstances!
Until next year, with the crowd❤️ pic.twitter.com/RzxPYx7FF0— Elise Mertens (@elise_mertens) September 10, 2020
