The semi-finals, pitting the younger generation against the older players, lived up to all expectations today on the central court of the Nice Lawn Tennis Club, delivering surprises, suspense, and outbursts to the great delight of the audience.
In the early afternoon, the ground shook when young Dominic Thiem, the hero of the day, managed to topple the American giant who was better ranked and extremely competitive this week.
The determined and focused Austrian displayed solid tennis, dragging John Isner into longer rallies that he dislikes, forcing him to play one more shot. This tactical maturity allowed him to reach an ATP circuit final for the second time in his career at just 21 years old.
On the other side of the draw, the young prodigy Borna Coric was expected for a 100% “teenager” final, but the No. 4 seed Leonardo Mayer had other plans…
Always very aggressive from the first points, the Argentine quickly took control of the court despite the Croatian’s efforts to push his opponent far from the baseline.
Coric, naturally very tenacious, did not give up in the second set, creating 9 break points that unfortunately he could not convert against Mayer’s experience.
An explosive final
For the last day of the Nice Côte d’Azur Open, the Nice audience will have the chance to witness an explosive final between a young ambitious player seeking his first title against a surface specialist not inclined to be dominated in his third circuit final.
The doubles final, always very spectacular, will precede this highly anticipated duel.
