Updates: Zverev Wins First Set Against Thiem

Seventh seed Alexander Zverev leads fourth seed Dominic Thiem 6-3 on Friday in the Australian Open semi-finals. The winner will play seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.

Zverev elected to receive and the decision reaped dividends with a service break, but Thiem got back immediately. Light rain began to fall in the fourth game and briefly suspended play and it was until 3-3, that Zverev put his foot on the accelerator, winning 10 straight points to a 5-3 lead and 0/30 on Thiem’s serve. Zverev clinched the 40-minute opener when Thiem hit a backhand into the net.

Thiem leads their ATP Head2Head rivalry 6-2, including a straight-sets win last year in the semi-finals of the Nitto ATP Finals.