Rublev edges out Thiem to reach Gijon final
Andrey Rublev set up a final meeting with Sebastian Korda at the Gijon Open, overcoming Dominic Thiem in straight sets in the last four.
The world No.9 battled through an up-and-down opener before remaining patient to seal the second set and the match on Thiem's serve, taking a 6-4 6-4 victory.
Russian Rublev has now won eight successive sets of tennis against the 2020 US Open champion, and he is one win away from his fourth title of 2022 after triumphs in Belgrade, Dubai and Marseille.
Speaking on court after the win, Rublev said: "I was lucky I played a really good game and Dominic helped me out a little bit.
"Then I felt more confident and I was able to win in two sets, which was the most important thing. This week I have been playing really well, and I'll try to show my best tennis of the week tomorrow."
Korda will be Rublev's opponent on Monday (AEDT) after the American saw off France's Arthur Rinderknech for a 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 win.
Meanwhile, at the Firenze Open, No.1 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime saw off home favourite Lorenzo Musetti 6-2 6-3, moving one step closer to a second ATP Tour title.
The Canadian will face JJ Wolf in the final in Florence, after the American clinched a 6-4 6-4 win over Sweden's Mikael Ymer.
