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Dominic Thiem poses with the US Open trophy.
Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
Dominic Thiem produced a historic comeback to beat Alexander Zverev in a nervous five-set game and winning the US Open on Sunday for his first Grand Slam title.
The second-seeded Austrian beat the fifth seed 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) in 4 hours and 2 minutes inside a nearly empty Arthur Ashe stadium.
It was the first time in the history of the US Open era that a player bounced back from losing the first two sets to win the title.
It was also the first time that the final was resolved with a tie-break.
“I wish we could have two winners today. I think we both deserve it,” Thiem said.
The title is the 27-year-old Thiem’s first Grand Slam trophy after three previous losses in the tennis majors.
Thiem was runner-up at the Australian Open earlier this year and also lost in the last two clashes at the French Open in 2018 and 2019.
He also becomes the first new Grand Slam champion since Croatian Marin Cilic won at Flushing Meadows in 2014.
Thiem is also the first Grand Slam champion besides Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer since Swiss Stan Wawrinka won the third of his majors at the 2016 US Open.
“I achieved a goal in life, a dream of myself, that I had for many, many years,” Thiem said.
The 23-year-old Zverev hit four aces and 16 winners in the first set as he displayed impressive service and volley play to take a 1-0 lead in just 30 minutes.
The German was aided by sloppy serve from Thiem, who committed three double faults when he was broken twice, in games three and seven.
In the second set, Zverev blew three set points while up 5-1, but held on to take a 2-0 lead on his fifth set point.
However, the tide was beginning to turn as Zverev’s game grew increasingly cautious as his suspect second serve slowed down and his forehand, another weakness, became more defensive.
After Thiem took the fourth set, Zverev found himself serving for the championship at 5-3 in the fifth set.
But he couldn’t hold out and soon Thiem found himself with a 6-5 lead. He took a medical time out before it was his turn to serve for the championship.
However, like Zverev moments before, Thiem was unable to secure the match and went to a tie-break.
He found himself 5-3 up after two double faults by Zverev, but Thiem, now exhausted and limping, wasted two championship points.
He won the title and $ 3 million winner’s check in his third after Zverev landed an open backhand.
Thiem collapsed to the ground with his head in his hands before the couple, who are close friends, hugged each other on the court.
“It was a tough battle,” said Zverev, who broke down in tears during his second speech.
“I wish you had lost a little more to be able to hold that trophy,” he added.
Zverev said that losing in a tie-break after two sets and a break “is not easy,” but said his time would come.
“I don’t think it’s my last chance. I think I’ll be a Grand Slam champion at some point,” he told reporters.
The match was watched by only a few dozen people, mostly officials, journalists and event staff after the coronavirus pandemic forced the tournament to take place behind closed doors.
It was a difficult and timid affair, with both players desperate to win their first Slams.
Zverev scored 15 aces compared to Thiem’s two. But the German also committed 15 double faults, and Thiem made eight.
Zverev hit more winners 52-43, but also more unforced errors, 65-55.
This year’s field at the Billie Jean King US National Tennis Center in New York was depleted by the absence of Swiss legend Federer and defending champion Nadal.
The tournament was also opened wide by the disqualification of world number one and big favorite Djokovic in the round of 16 for hitting a linesman with the ball.
