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It was a tense and disputed match. In the end, better for Dominic Thiem, who resurfaced after wasting four match points in the second set and stopped Novak Djokovic’s reaction: the Serbian started 4-0 in the decisive tiebreaker. By 2 sets to 1, with partials of 7/5 and (10) 6/7 and 7/6 (5), the Austrian eliminated the Serbian and sealed the classification for the decision of the ATP Finals for the second consecutive year – in 2019 It was a vice against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The rival in the final will come out of the confrontation between the Spanish Rafael Nadal, vice-leader of the ATP ranking, the Russian Daniil Medvedev, fourth on the list. The duel is scheduled for 5pm (Brasilia), just after the second doubles semifinal. Both games will be streamed live from SporTV3.
Dominic Thiem celebrates victory over Novak Djokovic and vacates ATP Finals decision – Photo: Getty Images
It was the first time since 2004 that the top four in the world rankings reached the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. In the confrontation between number 1 and number 3 in the world there was a lot of balance from the first set. The two players suffered moments of pressure throughout the set starting at 0-30 in their respective services, but managed to reverse the score before having break points against them.
That until game 11. With Djokovic’s serve, the Austrian grew up in a rally and earned a spectacular point in climbing the net. He reached the breaking point, the first of the game, and confirmed the break in a volley from the Serbian at the net. Thiem tied to close the set and defined the final game with an ace: 7/5.
Thiem squanders four match points in the second set
The second set began with the two serving even more aggressively and with tighter points. In the fifth game, Djokovic made three unforced errors and gave Thiem the break point. The Austrian wasted a parallel on the net and got angry. The Serbian took the opportunity to recover and confirm the game (3/2).
Novak Djokovic wipes sweat from his face during a match against Thiem – Photo: Getty Images
In the eighth game, with Thiem on serve, it was the Austrian’s turn to add unforced errors in a row. Djokovic had the first opportunity to break in the match, but did not believe in a ball and lost the opportunity. Thiem recovered quickly and added an ace and a left winner to even the score (4/4).
The twelfth game was also critical. Thiem committed a double fault followed by an unforced error and gave Djokovic a double break point and a double set point. The Austrian saved both and managed to confirm the service at the second game point, in a good climb to the net. In the tie-break, Djokovic opened 4-2 but allowed Thiem to equalize.
The Austrian reached match point after a perfect serve, and then it was the Serbian’s turn to come back on the same coin and maintain the equality (6-6). Thiem squandered a second match point with a double fault, and with a backhand error gave Djokovic the set point (first in the tie-break and third in the set).
Dominic Thiem struggles to reach the ball: The Austrian reversed a four-point deficit in the decisive tiebreaker – Photo: Getty Images
Nole also missed, and Thiem had the third chance to close out the game. I send it again. On the Austrian’s fourth match point, Djokovic got away with a ball down the line. At the Serbian’s fourth set point, finally a definition: world number 1 point, 7/6 (10) on the scoreboard, and third set ahead.
Again the balance was the tonic of the partial, with the two tennis players successfully defending their respective services. The match headed towards a new tie-break, which had an unlikely streak that showed Thiem’s mental strength as well as technical quality.
Nole opened quickly 4-0, but the Austrian reacted impressively to tie 4-4, turned around with an ace and, with a spectacular cross, reached fifth match point. Djokovic was saved with an ace, but he didn’t hold out for long. Thiem regained the lead and, on match six, finally closed the game: 7/6 (5).
