Dominic Thiem’s comeback picks up steam as he reaches Gstaad quarters: ‘I really need those ranking points’

ATP Tour
Dominic Thiem celebrates

Dominic Thiem surge up the ATP Rankings is set to continue as he defeated Federico Delbonis in straight sets at the Swiss Open to reach back-to-back quarter-finals.

Following a lengthy layoff due to a wrist injury, Thiem initially struggled on his return to action as he lost a string of first-round matches.

However, he picked up his first win at the Swedish Open last week and went on to reach the last eight, and he will be back in the quarter-final in Gstaad on Friday after beating Delbonis 7-6 (10-8), 6-3 in under an hour.

The Austrian broke to love in game six and came out to serve for the set at 5-3, but Delbonis broke back as it went to a tie-breaker. The Argentine had an early mini break, but two late breaks gave Thiem the set.

Breaks in games three and nine of the second set earned Thiem the victory.

The 2020 US Open champion moved up 65 places to No 274 in the ATP Rankings after last week’s run in Sweden and his ranking will get a similar boost this week.

“Every win is so important right now and I got a great energy from my box,” he said after the match. “They also knew that first set was crucial and the key to the match. I am coming from [reaching] the quarters in Bastad and I really wanted to back it up here in Gstaad. I have won two matches which means a lot to me right now. I really need those ranking points. Every match win is something very special.”

Thiem will face qualifier Juan Pablo Varillas for a place in the semi-final after the Peruvian upset third seed Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (7-3), 7-5.

Dominic Thiem Federico Delbonis

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