Dominic Thiem came from a set down to defeat David Goffin 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-1 on Court Suzanne Lenglen to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros for the first time. He will enter the top ten and face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
Number of breaks determines set
Due to many rain delays and a washout on Monday, the quarterfinals got underway. In the opening game of the set, Thiem raced away to a 40-15 lead to gain the first break point of the set. In a lengthy game, Goffin saved both to take it to deuce. Due to Thiem's fighting ability, he managed to create another break point. Which he would take following a double-fault from Goffin. The world number 13 hit back immediately following a backhand error from Thiem.
Goffin failed to take control and Thiem came straight back with a backhand winner to go 2-1 up. The 22-year-old would get the first hold of the set, by consolidating his break for a 3-1 lead. A couple of games later at 4-3, Goffin would break back with a return of serve and the set would be all square. He would hold serve and go within a game of the set. With the Austrian serving, Goffin preyed on a poor serve from Thiem and hit a return down the line to take the set 6-4.
Thiem hits back; levels match
The Austrian got off to a poor start to the second. The 25-year-old held his opening service game and broke at the second attempt for a 0-2 lead. Goffin would fail to hold serve and would get broken to love with the Austrian back in the match. He held his first service game of the set to bring it level at 2-2. Both continued to pressure and match one another and the set moved to 3-4 in Goffin's favor. In the longest game of the set, Thiem was put under all kinds of pressure, having to save four break points.
The 22-year-old went all out on his backhand and missed, which led to Goffin breaking for 3-5. With the Davis Cup finalist serving for the set, Thiem came straight back and broke for 4-5. Thiem held serve and brought the set level once more at 5-5. In the upcoming game, Goffin fought off two breaks points, before going on to hold serve. The six-time ATP title winner forced a tiebreak, which he won 9-7 to level the match at one set apiece. The current world number 15 had a mini-break at 5-2 before being pegged back and going on to win.
Late break seals set
Goffin got the early break of the set on his third chance. He would go on to hold serve for a 0-2 lead. A couple of games later with the score at 3-4, the momentum started to shift in the way of Thiem. As he looked to get back into the match, he mustered a break point chance. After failing to capitalize, he would get another chance a couple points later.
This time, the Austrian would take advantage and hold for 4-4. Thiem managed to hold serve and put Goffin under pressure. Thiem hit a blistering backhand winner to set up set point. At 40-15, Thiem broke Goffin and took the third set 6-4 to go two sets to one up.
Thiem books spot in semifinals
With momentum now shifted the way of Thiem, he got off to the perfect start. The 22-year-old held serve and the following game saw him break the Belgian for a 2-0 lead. The Austrian held serve and made it 3-0. In the upcoming game, Goffin who looked to get on the board was frustrated. Having saved three break points in the game, Thiem came back even stronger and put away a fourth to go 4-0 up.
Thiem consolidated once again and the set looked all but over for the 25-year-old. David Goffin avoided the bagel and got on the board for the first time in the set for 5-1. On match point, Goffin hit a shot wide and gave Thiem victory. Following this, he became the third Austrian to make a Grand Slam semifinal.