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- Dominic Thiem beats Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in London in 3 sets.
- In the victory by 7: 5, 6: 7 (10:12) and 7: 6 (7: 5), the Austrian awarded 4 match points in the second set, but converted a dramatic tie-break in the deciding set.
- In the final, Thiem faces Daniil Medwedew or Rafael Nadal.
It took Thiem 6 match balls to defeat the world number 1. After 2:52 hours, the roller coaster of emotions ended. With 7: 5, 6: 7 (10:12) and 7: 6 (7: 5) Thiem won against Djokovic and is like this in the final of the ATP Finals.
Thiem had already finished the season of world number 1 last year, at which point he sealed his in the group stage. For the Austrian, it is the second consecutive final. In 2019 he was only marginally defeated by Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thriller after 3 sets, then he lost the deciding set in the tie-break with 6: 7 (4: 7).
Modest start
The first set against Djokovic turned out to be extremely unspectacular. Only when the score was 5: 5 and 30:30 when Djokovic served, Thiem was able to calculate the first break opportunity of the game, and use it immediately because Djokovic completely missed a volley. It should be the only pause in the entire game. A short time later, Thiem had the first round in his pocket.
Djokovic’s problem with the return
Djokovic, actually known as a strong return player, offered very little resistance in the moments when Thiem served in the second set. Only in the course of the round did Djokovic improve in the game and get two more break and set balls with a score of 5: 6. But Thiem showed nerves of steel at this point, defended himself from both and was saved in the tiebreaker.
2 dramatic playoffs
This tiebreaker turned into a true thriller. Thiem had a chance to win more than once, but missed 4 match points, including a double fault. Djokovic was saved at 11:10 with his fourth set in the third round.
In the deciding set, too, it was only the exception that one of the two semi-finalists could endanger the other’s serve. Djokovic improved his return a lot, and the game stayed even until the end.
In the tie-break, Djokovic led quickly, taking two mini-breaks and leading 4-0. But Thiem scored 6 points in a row, started the dramatic change and then was able to use his sixth match point.
Now against Nadal or Medvedev
In this year’s final, Thiem awaits the winner of the second semi-final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev. The Russian in particular enjoys a strong form. Medvedev won all 3 group games and did not lose a single set. Against Nadal he is on balance with 0: 3 behind. The Mallorcan always has to dress warmly.
