Sousa upsets Thiem to reach St. Petersburg final, to face Raonic

Portugal’s Joao Sousa upset third-seeded Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Saturday to reach the final of the St. Petersburg Open.

Portugal’s Joao Sousa upset third-seeded Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Saturday to reach the final of the St. Petersburg Open.

Joao Sousa of Portugal returns to Dominic Thiem of Austria during the semifinal of the St. Petersburg Open in St.Petersburg, Russia, on September 26, 2015. (EPA Photo)

Thiem won more points overall than Sousa did, but his serving was inconsistent, with 11 aces balanced out by landing just 46 percent of his first serves. It was the seventh-seeded Sousa’s first win against Thiem in four meetings.

Dominic Thiem of Austria during the semifinal of the St. Petersburg Open against Joao Sousa of Portugal in St.Petersburg, Russia, on September 26, 2015.

In Sunday’s final, Sousa will face second-seeded Milos Raonic of Canada, who beat fourth seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain 6-2, 7-6 (2) in the second semifinal.

Milos Raonic of Canada returns the ball to Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain during their semi final match at the St. Petersburg Open in St.Petersburg, Russia, on September 26, 2015.

Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in action against Milos Raonic of Canada during their semi final at the St. Petersburg Open in St.Petersburg, Russia, on September 26, 2015.

Sousa has lost his last four ATP finals since winning his only title against Julien Benneteau at the 2013 Malaysian Open.