Third-seeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille – a U.S. Open quarterfinalist earlier this month – also reached the last eight by beating his Davis Cup teammate Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 6-7 (6) 6-4 in their first ever meeting.
Advertisement
World number 10 Thiem’s ambitions suffered a further blow in the first game of the second set, dropping his serve having already staved off two break points. At this tournament, I think Dominique will take revenge and wins its 5th title of the season. He’s shown how well he can play at big tournaments and I think he gets the title.
The seven-time ATP Tour victor will now face Gilles Simon in the semi-finals in Metz, and he will be confident of securing a victory against the Frenchman, as he emerged victorious when the two players last met at the 2015 Rome Masters. “It’s in large part thanks to you that I’m here now”.
After a tense opening set in which he saved a set point at 6-5 in the tiebreak, Pouille was in complete control and converted all of his three break points in the second set.
Pouille, the world number 18, needed nearly two hours to see off his world number 112 ranked compatriot Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 6-7, 6-4.
Advertisement
“It was a very good first set from both of us, not many chances to break”, the 23-year-old Thiem said.
