Thursteer's breakthrough in Dubai means he reaches his third WTA 1000 semi-final
Sorana Cirstea has achieved the “biggest comeback” of her career by reaching the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships alongside Iga Swiatek.
Cirstea fell behind 5-1 in sets against current Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrusova, but came back to win 2-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2.
Swiatek defeated Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2, while Coco Gauff lost to Anna Kalinskaya 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
In the match, the 33-year-old Romanian Cirstea saved six match points.
“Honestly, when I was 5-1 in sets, I wasn't thinking about winning anymore,” Thurstair said.
“I wanted to at least make it good for the public, at least make it longer and play a little bit better tennis.
“Somehow I managed to get this win, but I still don't know how I got it.
“This has got to be the biggest comeback of my career.”
Cirstea will face Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals. The Italian earned a walkover over fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina, who withdrew from the tournament due to a gastrointestinal illness.
World No. 1 Swiatek defeated Australian Open runner-up Zheng and will now face qualifier Kalinskaya in the semifinals.
Russia's Kalinskaya followed up her victory over Jelena Ostapenko by dislodging US Open champion Gauff.
“I'm very happy with my game here,” Kalinskaya said.
“She's a great athlete and a great fighter. You could feel the tension until the last point, so it was very important for my side to stay calm and stay aggressive.”
Gauff, Rybakina and Vondrousova were absent, leaving Swiatek as the only seed remaining in the tournament.
