Thiem bypasses disaster with Kitz comeback

Dominic Thiem rescued a win for the second straight time as the former ATP No. 3 reached the semi-finals at Kitzbuehel on Thursday.

The Austrian home hero whose career has been a channel since injuring a wrist more than two years ago, recovered again from a set down to overhaul France’s Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The 29-year0ld who won the US Open in 2020 but who now stands 116th, needs one more victory to book the title match.

“It was another great, great night here. The first game was horrible but from then on it was really good against an opponent who is playing great tennis at the moment,” Thiem said 

“It’s my first semi-final of the year and I couldn’t have chosen a better place.

“Everything is coming together here. The incredible support of the home crowd is something I can rely on every single match, which is such a huge advantage for me. 

I also have a lot of experience playing here. It’s my 13th or 14th time. I am super happy to be in the last four.”

The Austrian is recovering form after losing nine of his first 10 matches this season. He last won a title at the Open three long years ago.

Thiem will bid for the Austrian alpine final against Hamburg winner Laslo Djere, seeded fifth