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- In an attractive match at the ATP London Finals, Dominic Thiem (ATP 3) defeated world number 2 Rafael Nadal 7: 6 (9: 7), 7: 6 (7: 4).
- The two show very attractive tennis at eye level over long stretches.
- Whether Thiem qualifies for the semifinal depends on the outcome of the evening match.
The fact that the second set was also to be decided in the tiebreak did not surprise any observer of the match. The two opponents behaved with too much confidence, the whole match was too balanced. The points report talked about volumes: in both sets, the points accounts were exactly balanced up to their respective draw.
Dominic Thiem was twice numb in short decisions in the final round and won the intense match after nearly two and a half hours with 7: 6 (9: 7), 7: 6 (7: 4).
The following also demonstrates how incredibly close the matter was:
- Only after 80 minutes of play and the score of 7: 6, 1: 0 did you witness your first break in the O2 Arena in London. Thiem defended him convincingly.
- The game’s first real break came even later: Nadal managed to break through his Austrian counterpart’s serve in the second set for 4: 3. Anyone who suspected a preliminary decision – far from it! Thiem responded with the ready rebreak.
Shortly before the 2nd tiebreak it became exciting: after a mini lowering and some bad luck on the side of the net by the Spaniard, Thiem suddenly saw himself served with 3 balls. But Nadal recovered and rejected all 3, one of which was also spicy with a bit of a net edge.
Thiem addicted to Tsitsipas
The game was not only uniform, but also high. The two true specialists of the clay court sometimes fought only against the winners, but at the same time saved themselves from the most delicate situations.
Victory would be enough for Thiem to qualify for the opening semifinal if Stefanos Tsitsipas (ATP 6) wins Group London’s evening match against Andrej Rublew (ATP 7). This game can be seen live on SRF two from 9pm.
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