Alex de Minaur has been knocked out in the quarterfinals by Dominic Thiem after a career-best week at the US Open.
Despite a spirited affair, Thiem's dominant groundstrokes proved too good for the Australia as he won in three sets, 6-1 6-2 6-4.
In his first career quarterfinal at a Grand Slam, de Minaur walked out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium to take on the second-seed in humid conditions in New York.
Thiem immediately signalled his intent, breaking de Minaur in his first service game to take a 2-0 lead.
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The Australian then broke back immediately to level things up but it was the only game he won in the first set, Thiem taking it 6-1.
The Austrian breaking de Minaur three times and hitting four aces in an almost faultless opening set.
The second set was far more competitive with de Minaur showing all his fighting qualities as he took a 40-0 lead at 2-2.
However, a collapse on his serve rattled the Demon's confidence and Thiem would go on to win the next four games.
The Australian was unable to get a hold on the match, Thiem almost taking the match out of his hands.
#USOpen (🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/cmltyYoGO0
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) September 10, 2020
Thiem broke early in the final set, taking a 3-1 lead but de Minaur would break back and took a 4-3 lead.
De Minaur produced this incredible get to take a 15-30 lead and it looked like momentum could be swinging the Australian's way.
DE MIÑAUR!!! Jajajaja alucinante, me paré a aplaudir pic.twitter.com/5yVxyEkVvm
— Nicolás López H (@nicolaslh98) September 10, 2020
A crucial net cord in the following game went Thiem's way and what could have been two break points to de Minaur ended up at 30-30.
That would be as close as the Australian 21st-seed would get, Thiem taking the next three matches to close out the match.
Dominance personified.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2020
Dominic Thiem is through to his first #USOpen semifinal.
Daniil Medvedev awaits... pic.twitter.com/KGrNWMB3Az
Thiem hit 43 winners to the Australian's 17, his powerful one-handed backhand pushing de Minaur around the court.
The win will take Thiem to his sixth-career Grand Slam semifinal and his first at Flushing Meadows.
It will be his first appearance in the final four at the US Open.
27yo Dominic Thiem just too big and too good today. Beats Alex De Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the #USOpen semifinals for the first time.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 10, 2020
His 6th career GS SF
AusOpen - 1 (2020)
Roland Garros - 4 (2016-19)
Wimbledon - 0#USOpen - 1 (2020)
[getty] pic.twitter.com/b4Yhm21WKx
The Austrian post-match admitted that despite the comprehensive win "it looks easier on the scoresheet than it was."
Thiem will take on the third-seed Daniil Medvedev in what will be an exhilarating encounter.
With Djokovic out of the draw, it means we will have a new Grand Slam winner for the first time, the victor of that semifinal to take on the winner of the Zverev-Carreno Busta match.
For the 21-year-old Australian, de Minaur will now turn his attention to the clay season with the French Open only a fortnight away.
You can catch all the US Open action LIVE on Kayo Sports.
