Goffin becomes first Belgian to reach Australia Open quarters

David Goffin defeated Austrian Dominic Thiem 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-2 and 6-2 to become the first Belgian men's singles tennis player to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals here on Monday.

A few drops of rain that briefly interrupted the game helped 11th seed Goffin to take a deep breath and beat Thiem, whom he had already defeated on the same court last year, and later at the French Open, reports Efe.

It will be the second grand slam quarter-final for Goffin, who also reached this round at Paris last year.

"It's been formidable today, I think I can play five more sets," Goffin joked after the two-hour, 44-minute game.

In the coming round, Goffin will play Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Denis Istomin 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-1.

"I will be focused on the match, not on the consequences if I win or lose," Goffin told atpworldtour.com, on the match against Dimitrov.

"Dimitrov has won everything. He started the year really well and was really solid this week."

--IANS

pur/bg