Stefanos Tsitsipas came from a set down to beat Dominic Thiem 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-6 (4) to win the 2019 ATP World Tour Finals in London on Sunday.
There was little to choose between the two players in a high-quality first set. Neither player managed a break of serve, but it was Thiem who emerged the stronger in the tiebreak and sealed the first set with an ace.
Tsitsipas produced an emphatic response to losing the opening set, breaking Thiem twice to convincingly take the second 6-2 and force the final into a decider.
The two players traded breaks at the start of the decider, but neither could find another as a tight and fiercely contested final was decided by another tiebreak.
This time it was Tsitsipas who managed to hold his nerve when it mattered most to take a thrilling victory and seal the biggest title of his career so far.
Tsitsipas showed few signs of nerves in the early exchanges, holding to love in the opening game of the match and earning the final’s first break point in Thiem’s second service game.
Yet the Austrian was quick to close the opportunity down, producing some powerful groundstrokes and clinical serving to hold for 2-2.
Thiem was having to work harder than his opponent to hold serve but managed to gain his first break points at 3-3. Some sloppy play and poor forehands gifted Thiem two break points, but Tsitsipas responded with a brilliant serve and volley off a second serve and then clinched the hold with a big forehand.
Thiem survived more break points with some brave serving in the next game, and it was little surprise to see the first set go all the way to the tiebreak.
A missed forehand from Tsitsipas gave Thiem the early advantage and saw him move 3-0 up. The Greek star did manage to pull it back to 5-5, but a wild backhand followed by a precise serve from Thiem down the middle sealed the opener for the Austrian in one hour and five minutes.
Tsitsipas roared straight back in the second set, earning three break points in the opening game. Thiem saved the first but sent a forehand wide to hand his opponent the early advantage.
Credit : Bleacher Report
Picture Credit : Google
