Austrian Dominic Thiem defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev on Friday in straight sets to reach the US Open Finals.

The second seed put up a gritty performance to overcome the third seed 6-2, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/5) in 2hr 56min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 27-year-old has set up a tasty looking final encounter against fifth-seeded German Alexander Zverev on Sunday, with both players looking to clinch their maiden Grand Slam title.

The score looks slightly flattering to Thiem following what was a hard-fought encounter that saw small shifts in momentum at both ends of the court at different stages.

Also Read: Alexander Zverev beats Carreno Busta to reach US Open final

“It was great tennis from both of us,” Thiem said. “Really, really happy to be through and I think it was a great semi-final.”

Thiem and Medvedev, last year’s runners-up at Flushing Meadows, traded long rallies with booming baseline forehands.

Both brought their impressive defensive games to court and ultimately the match was decided by Thiem winning points at key moments.

Thiem comfortably took set one, dealing Medvedev his first loss of set during the tournament. The Russian then squandered a 4-2 lead in the second set to lose it on a tie-break.

In set three, Medvedev was on set point while serving at 5-3 but Thiem won a 38-shot rally to take the game and bring the set back on serve.

He then raced to a 5-1 lead that was reduced to 5-4 before he held his nerve to enter his fourth Grand Slam final and second in a row after his appearance in the last-two at this year’s Australian Open.