Thiem survives Berrettini, advances to first career Vienna final

After two hours and 33 minutes, Dominic Thiem prevailed over the red-hot Matteo Berrettini, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, to reach his first ever final at the Erste Bank Open on Saturday. Thiem has played in Vienna every year since 2010, but had never made it past the quarterfinal round until this year.

Thiem will attempt to be the first Austrian since Jurgen Melzer in 2010 to win this tournament. The 26-year-old has delivered for his home fans all year long, winning in Kitzbuhel and improving his record in Austria to 8-0 on the season with his showing this week.

Thiem will face Diego Schwartzman in Sunday’s championship match and holds a 4-2 edge in their prior meetings. Schwartzman dismissed Gael Monfils, 6-3, 6-2, breaking the Frenchman twice in each set. The Argentine, who won the outdoor hard-court event in Los Cabos this year, is seeking his first title indoors.