Thiem makes grasscourt gains

Dominic Thiem is through to his first grasscourt semifinal, and has surprised himself in the process.

The Austrian on Friday beat Mikhail Youzhny in three tight sets to set up a last-four meeting with Roger Federer at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart, and claimed it was the “biggest win of my career on grass”.

Thiem has won just four matches on the surface, at the same he has developed into one of the game’s premier claycourters.

“Grass is different for me. I’m unbelievably happy with this semifinal. Anything that comes now is a big bonus,” he said.

“It’s not nice to play Roger on any surface. He is the best on grass. If I play him I have no expectations.”

Thiem beat Federer – who was struggling with an injured back – recently in Rome, but added: “Clay is my surface, I feel very confident against almost all players.”

In the other semifinal, Juan Martin del Potro will take on Philipp Kohlschreiber.