MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 26: Sebastian Korda of United States celebrates after defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain in three sets during the 2022 Miami Open presented by Itaú at Hard Rock Stadium on March 26, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
The 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem takes on the world No. 36 Sebastian Korda in the semi-finals of the European Open on Saturday.
The 22-year-old is having a great second half of the season. He came into the European Open on the back of an impressive Gijon Open campaign where he reached the finals. Korda eventually lost to Andrey Rublev in the finals in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.
The American youngster began his campaign in Antwerp with a hard-fought win against Marcos Giron. In the round of 16, Korda had to dig deep to not allow his opponent, Karen Khachanov, to take the match into the third set. Korda eventually won 7-5, 7-6 (11-9). The quarter-final encounter against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka was a one-sided affair. Korda stormed into the semis after defeating Nishioka 6-0, 6-2 in just 54 minutes.
The resurgence continues for the 29-year-old as he reached his second consecutive semi-finals. Thiem entered Antwerp with the confidence of having reached the semis in the Gijon Open. He has managed to continue in the same vein in what has been a promising European Open campaign so far.
The Austrian star defeated Michael Geerts quite comfortably in the first match. In the round of 16, Thiem got the better of Franciso Cerundolo in three sets 6-1, 1-6, 7-5. The quarter-final match against Hubert Hurkacz was a riveting affair as both players gave all they had in the tank to get the W. The Polish star won the first set with relative ease but the match became a tense affair as the second set commenced. Thiem used all his experience to take the match 3-6, 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-4).
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 0-0 as the two players have not crossed paths as yet.
Prediction: Dominic Thiem to win in three sets.
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