Alex de Minaur takes on Dominic Thiem for the last spot in men's semi-finals at US Open 2020. AP
Dominic Thiem speaks after the match:
I had a great feeling, from the first moment of the match. I felt that the first set was pretty intense, and the second one as well. It looks easier on the scoresheet that it was on the court. In the third set, I lost a bit of energy and momentum, and he came back great. It was a crucial game at 3-4. I had to save a break-point, which I managed to.
I felt the energy coming back to me at that point. I think the match was going a bit flat, which can happen in an empty stadium. We both switched it on again right at the end, but with a two set lead, it was a lot easier for me.
My mindset isn't any different, even though the big three are no longer involved in the tournament. Maybe somewhere in the back of my head, of all four players. But even if there's no Roger, Rafa or Novak, there's still Daniil, Sascha and Pablo. They're all amazing players, and I think every single one of us deserves this title. Everyone will give their all. That's what's on my mind. Once we step on the court, the other three are forgotten.
Game, Set, Match: Dominic Thiem wins 6-1, 6-2, 6-4
There's a lot that can be said of Alex De Minaur's performance in this match. He's been stubborn, he's stuck to his guns, and at times, he's played some incredible tennis. But the one thing you cannot say is that he was ever, even for a little spell, better than Dominic Thiem.
The Austrian was immense in this match, and he was on top of things from the very get go. And perhaps typically, he seals his place in the semi-final with a hold to love. Incredible stuff!
Alex de Minaur 1-6, 2-6, 4-5 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)
Excellent work from Dominic Thiem to recover from his momentary setback. Despite De Minaur doing really well to break back and make things level, the Austrian has proceeded with business undeterred, and after holding serve in a lengthy, difficult game, he breaks to put himself just one game away from the semi-finals!
Alex de Minaur 1-6, 2-6, 4-3 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)
His newfound momentum didn't last too long. Dominic Thiem races into a 0-40 lead in the game, with three break points to his name. De Minaur shows great heart to fight back to deuce. He gets the advantage after Thiem's forehand goes long. And then holds with a backhand winner! Thiem challenges, but he's not convinced by it. Hawkeye replay just shows what a good shot it was.
Alex de Minaur* 1-6, 2-6, 3-3 Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)
Alex de Minaur breaks to bring himself level in the third set!
Alex de Minaur 1-6, 2-6, 2-3 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)
Thiem shows wonderful movement in a quickfire exchange, but his desperate volley flies long. He gets the next point though, with an imperious backhand winner. Ooof, De Minaur wins a point with an excellent volley, and then wraps up the hold with two points backs-to-back.
Alex de Minaur* 1-6, 2-6, 1-3 Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)
We're fast approaching the point of no return for young Alex de Minaur. He needs to break soon, or its going to be too little too late. Easier said than done though, especially with Thiem's excellent serve. Speaking of his excellent serve, he holds it with ease.
Alex de Minaur 1-6, 2-6, 1-2 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)
De Minaur gets the first point with some excellent combination play and a winner into open space. The second comes courtesy of a shanked return from Thiem. De Minaur then fluffs a shot, and it doesn't clear the net. 30-30 then, as Thiem continues to push him relentlessly. 40-30, Alex de Minaur unleashes a ferocious forehand winner. Thiem then hits a forehand long after an exquisite rally. De Minaur holds.
The battle of all mothers will be waged Wednesday at the US Open when Serena Williams faces unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova for a berth in the semi-finals.
Williams missed more than a year of competition when she had a daughter in 2017, and has since been seeking a record-tying 24th Major title. Pironkova is playing in her first tournament since she took a break of more than three years to have a son.
In another women's quarter-final match-up, World No 16 Elise Mertens will face unseeded Victoria Azarenka, who is also a mother. Azarenka has won nine consecutive matches, including the final in the Western & Southern Open that was played in New York as an in-the-bubble warm-up for the US Open.
Serena Williams takes on Tsvetana Pironkova in the first quarter-final of Wednesday. Images: AP
Two men's quarter-finals are also scheduled. No 2-seeded Dominic Thiem, a three-time Major runner-up, meets first-time Slam quarter-finalist Alex de Minaur, a 21-year-old Australian. No 3 Daniil Medvedev, last year's Open runner-up, plays No 10 Andrey Rublev.
The path to the men's title is wide open after overwhelming favorite Novak Djokovic was disqualified on Sunday for unintentionally hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball. Each of the men's quarter-finalists is seeking his first Grand Slam title.
(With inputs from The Associated Press)
Djokovic defended his message in comments to Serb media, saying that Kosovo is Serbia's "cradle, our stronghold".
The 47-year-old 15-time major champion which includes three US Open crowns underwent further surgery in April on his ankle, which was severely injured in a car accident in 2021.
Novak Djokovic defiantly insisted on Wednesday 'it's something I stand for' regarding the controversy over his explosive comments about Kosovo earlier this week at the French Open.
