US Open 2020, Quarter-finals, Tennis Highlights: Thiem beats De Minaur to reach semis; Azarenka sets up mouth-watering clash with Serena

And here’s how the semi-finals look:

Women’s Singles Semi-Finals

Jennifer Brady vs Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka

Men’s Singles Semi-Finals

Alexander Zverev vs Pablo Carreno Busta

Daniil Medvedev vs Dominic Thiem

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.

Alex de Minaur* 1-6, 2-6, 0-2 Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

Thiem begins his service game with an ace. He undercooks a slice and it doesn’t clear the net. 15-15. He opens up his body on the next point and unleashes a fearsome forehand winner. 30-15. No wait. 40-15. No wait. He’s held serve. He’s just blazing through this.

Alex de Minaur 1-6, 2-6, 0-1 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

Alex de Minaur really needs to go for broke now. There’s nothing to lose at this point, and there’s a whole lot to gain. Thiem has hit 23 winners, while the Australian has hit just 10. He could with taking a couple of risks here and there and really leaning into his groundstrokes. Make that 24 winners for Thiem actually. He’s up 40-15 with two break points. 40-30 with just the one. He’s broken in the very first game of the third set, and he does it with a gorgeous lob!

Second Set: Dominic Thiem 6-2

Dominic Thiem serves for the second set. Ace. Ace. Unforced error from De Minaur. Unforced error from De Minaur. Thiem wins the second set. It’s just that easy. Pure class from the Austrian.

Alex de Minaur 1-6, 2-5 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

It’s Slice City here as both Thiem and De Minaur continue to duke it out in this enthralling quarter-final tie! Thiem has really clicked into gear of late, and he’s keeping De Minaur at bay with relative ease. He eases through his service game, and then goes up double break against De Minaur! The Austrian is playing at a very very high level right now, and his Australian opponent just can’t seem to raise his game enough to put up a real challenge.

Alex de Minaur 1-6, 2-3 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

After winning 11 straight points on his serve, Alex de Minaur commits a string of errors to take his service game from 40-0 to deuce. Dominic Thiem catches the scent of an opportunity to break, and he moves in very well to force De Minaur into giving away a point. And he has the break! What a little spell from Thiem, this guy is just too good.

Alex de Minaur* 1-6, 2-2 Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

Alex de Minaur looks a lot more composed in this second set, and he’s really pushing Thiem for every point now. He’s also managed to put together a couple of service holds, which looked unlikely in that first set. He’s going to need to dig deeper into his bag of tricks if he is to win this match though, because Thiem just looks effortlessly elegant at the moment.

Alex de Minaur 1-6, 1-0 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

For anyone who hasn’t watched the match, Alex De Minaur isn’t really playing that badly. Despite losing the first set 1-6, he’s been doing pretty well. It’s just that Dominic Thiem has the reading of him at the moment, and he’s dealing with the Australian quite well.

First Set: Dominic Thiem 6-1

A couple of big aces from Thiem here, as he serves to wrap up the set! He miscues a backhand, gives Alex De Minaur a point. Then he goes up to set-point after an unforced error. Blistering ace and Thiem has the first set in the bag!

Alex de Minaur 1-5 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

15-15 on De Minaur’s serve, and he pulls out an excellent forehand volley! 30-15. Thiem shanks a return, and it’s 40-15. Can De Minaur hold for the first time? He makes an unforced error, 40-30 now. Oh lord, Thiem takes it to deuce with a gorgeous backhand winner!

Advantage Thiem, after a forehand error from the Australian. And Thiem breaks!

Alex de Minaur* 1-4 Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

What a massive, massive hold from Dominic Thiem! The Austrian finds himself 40-0 down, staring at three breakpoints, but he does really really well to fight back and take it to deuce. After that, it’s just a matter of letting his power and natural ability do the talking.

Alex de Minaur 1-3 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

Alex de Minaur surrenders a point after reviewing whilst the point was being played and getting it wrong. He makes it 15-15, but then gives away another point with an unforced error. He makes it 30-30, but Thiem gets to break point with some huge Nadal-esque forehands. Deuce now, after Thiem miscues a shot.

Advantage Thiem, De Minaur hits a shot long. Thiem breaks again!

Alex de Minaur* 1-2 Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

De Minaur breaks back right away, despite some excellent play from Dominic Thiem. The Australian is here to play! Meanwhile, the roof is to be closed after the rain intensifies.

Alex de Minaur 0-2 *Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

Thiem already looks like he’s much more settled than De Minaur. He secures the first couple of points on De Minaur’s serve, but the Australian does well to level it at 30-30. Thiem then gets a break point after De Minaur launches a shot into orbit. Deuce after Thiem fires a backhand long.
 

Ooof! Thiem gets the advantage after letting loose a thunderous backhand! And he breaks! Great start from the Austrian. (Sidenote, I’m definitely going to mix up Austrian and Australian at some point, aren’t I?)

Alex de Minaur* 0-1 Dominic Thiem (* denotes server)

Dominic Thiem gets us underway with a service game. This match should be an intriguing one, because it’s a pretty well-established player coming up against an up and coming one. There’s also a bit of rain right now, it’s a light drizzle at the moment.

Up next, Dominic Thiem vs Alex de Minaur!

Victoria Azarenka speaks after the match!

That was pretty good. I think that was pretty good today. I felt like I saw the ball really well today and I really executed my plan well. I knew I had to use my speed and power to come up with some variation that would get her off balance. I’m very happy with my movement.

To be honest, I felt like I’ve been moving a lot better in practice. In practice I was getting to everything, so I’ve been trying to do the same in matches. I’m happy that I’ve been able to do that, despite the pressure and intensity of these matches. 

I’ve been able to enjoy, because I take it a day at a time. I’m glad I have a house here, I can eat my mum’s cooking every night, which is a huge advantage for me! It’s great to be able to play with my son in the garden. I love New York. I love going to coffee shops and exploring the city. This isn’t the year for it, but we can make more memories next year.

For me it can’t get any better than meeting Serena Williams in the semi-final! I’m excited for it, it’s an amazing opportunity to play against a champion, someone I respect a lot, someone who is my friend. I hope people are excited for this too. I hope it’ll be fun for them, I know it will for me.

I’m definitely enjoying my tennis a lot more now than six or seven years ago. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed tennis earlier, to be honest. I’ve always felt like it was a job. When you’re winning, it’s great, but when I lost it felt like I couldn’t function sometimes, because I was so overwhelmed. But now I’m enjoying it, nothing bothers me anymore.

Game, Set, Match: Victoria Azarenka wins 6-1, 6-0

This has been an absolute masterclass of a performance from Azarenka. From the first point of the match, she has been imperious, and Elise Mertens has just not turned up. With a commanding 6-1, 6-0 demolition job, the Belarusian is through to her eighth Grand Slam semi-final, where she will face Serena Williams!

Victoria Azarenka* 6-1, 5-0 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Couple of good points for Mertens. Can she hold serve for the first time this match? She double faults. 30-15 to her. Another unforced error from Mertens, 30-30. One more break point for Azarenka. She converts it with a gorgeous backhand winner. Surely this is all over? She serves for the set!

Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 4-0 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

It’s worth remembering that Mertens has not held serve even once yet. She really needs to do something different, there’s not that much time left. Azarenka gets the first point of her service game. Mertens wins the second, with an excellent winner. 15-15. Ace from Azarenka. And she’s up 40-15 after Mertens terrible return sails wide. Another ace, and the Azarenka express keeps pulling away.

Victoria Azarenka* 6-1, 3-0 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Mertens has really struggled with her forehand tonight. She gives away the first point with an unforced error. It’s 30-0 now. Mertens is struggling, but she claws back a point with her first ace of the night. Azarenka has break point again after a gorgeous forehand winner eludes Mertens. She’s cruising here. Azarenka makes a couple of unforced errors though, and we’re at deuce.

Excellent play from Azarenka, and she had advantage. She’s hitting it so clean and deep, the ball is just skidding off the court. Elise Mertens is not out though, she gets it back to deuce. Advantage to Azarenka. An error from Mertens’ forehand again. Mertens makes it deuce with an inch-perfect volley. How good is Azarenka! She has advantage for the third time this game. It’s her fifth break point of the game and she converts it!

Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 2-0 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Azarenka up a set and a break. She gives away the first point with an unforced error. Mertens takes the second with a powerful winner. Azarenka makes it 30-15. Ooh, Mertens has break point now! She’s not held serve yet, but this is her second break point. Azarenka claws back a point with an ace, and then makes it deuce with a smash.

She’s doing really well with her little combinations, Mertens just cannot cope. Advantage Azarenka! She holds serve

Victoria Azarenka* 6-1, 1-0 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Mertens disappears down the tunnel after the first set is done, and she’s gone for ages. Azarenka takes the time to meditate with her legs crossed. Real zen moment.
 

Mertens takes the first point of the second set, but Azarenka claims the next two. Mertens makes it 30-30 with a strong smash. And Azarenka has another break point! Double fault from Mertens and Azarenka is ahead!

First Set: Victoria Azarenka 6-1

Azarenka is serving for the set now. Mertens gets the first point, after the Belarusian shanks a return long, but makes it 15-15 after Mertens’ lob clears the court. Fantastic shot from Mertens under real pressure and she’s 30-15 up. Azarenka is doing so well to close down her angles though, and she makes it 30-30 after charging to the net. Elise Mertens hits another one long for her twelfth unforced error. Azarenka on set point. And she wraps it up after another unforced error from the Belgian!

Victoria Azarenka* 5-1 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Azarenka is playing some excellent, aggressive tennis.  She wins the first point after Mertens can’t reach her cross court return. She gets the second after Mertens buries a return into the nets. 30-0 up. Make that 40-0 up, because she’s won another point with a forehand winner! She has three break points, can she capitalise on this? Why yes she can, with a stylish backhand winner down the line. She’s up double-break now.

Victoria Azarenka 4-1 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

What a return to action Victoria Azarenka has had! After winning the Western & Southern Open, the Belarusian has looked in fine form at the US Open, and in this match, she looks like she just about has the edge. She holds, despite the game going to deuce.

Victoria Azarenka* 3-1 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

The set is back on serve. Azarenka tries to put power on a forehand return, but it fails to clear the net. 15-0 to Mertens. Mertens’ shot from a rally on the next point clips the net and outfoxes Azarenka. 30-0. Mertens then gives away a couple of points back-to-back and it’s 30-30 now. Azarenka hits a return long and it’s 40-30. Oh my, what a huge overhead winner from Azarenka. To deuce we go.

Azarenka gets advantage after Mertens misses the court with a forehand. She makes up for her miss with an excellent backhand winner though. Advantage back with Azarenka now. Oh no, it’s a double fault from Mertens. Azarenka back into the lead after breaking.

Victoria Azarenka 2-1 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Mertens fights back with a powerful winner and its 15-0. She then pushes Azarenka into hitting a return long and it’s 30-0. Azarenka replies well by making Mertens scamper across court after a well placed shot, which the Belgian can’t get to. 30-15. But Mertens is at break point now! Doesn’t faze Azarenka though, she unleashes a wonderful serve and forehand combo. Oh my word, Mertens has broken back with an imperious return which kisses the baseline before wooshing past Azarenka.

Victoria Azarenka* 2-0 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Mertens goes up to 30-0 with ease, but then Azarenka gets a point after an excellent rally. Azarenka makes it 30-30. Mertens with the double fault and Azarenka has break-point now. And she breaks! She’s off and running!

Victoria Azarenka 1-0 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Azarenka starts us off with the serve, and she does well to bag the opening point. Mertens replies by making it 15-15. Oof, early double fault from Azarenka and it’s 15-30. Mertens miscues a return and it’s 30-30. Oh, excellent forehand winner from Azarenka there, that’s cannoned off her racket. Elise Mertens returns well on the next serve and we go to deuce.

Mertens fluffs a return and it’s blasted straight into orbit. Advantage Azarenka. Mertens messes up another return, it’s a hold.