2020 US open champion Dominic Thiem qualified for the semi-final of the ATP Finals after winning his first two round-robin matches. Following which he lost his last group stage match against Andrey Rublev. However, the fact he had already qualified for the next stage, that loss didn’t trouble his chances.
In the other group, Novak Djokovic beat Diego Schwartzman in his opening group stage game. After which, the Serb was handed a heavy defeat by Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. Next up was Alexander Zverev in a do or die match. Djokovic knocked him out in straight sets to set up a semi-final clash with Thiem.
Dominic Thiem: A Legend in the Making
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As the match began, both players were holding serve. At 5-5, Thiem broke Djokovic and finally claimed the first set 7-5. In the second set, they played out a tiebreaker, and the World No.1 winning this one, with a 12-10 score in the tie break. In the final set, they played another tiebreaker. The Austrian was trailing 0-4 and saw the match move towards Novak’s direction. Out of nowhere, Dominic won six points in a row and eventually won the match 7-5 6-7 (10) 7-6 (5).
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Speaking after the match, Thiem said, “To play these legends is always going to be something special. And playing finals here is also very special. Well, I thought that after my first big title in New York maybe I’m going to be a little bit calm. But it was a mistake I guess I was just as tight and nervous as before.”
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Dominic Thiem looks in the best form he’s ever been in. To beat Rafa and Novak in the same event is not normal. There’s just one match remaining this season for him now. The current US Open champion looks determined to go the distance. He faces the winner of the match between Nadal and Medvedev later today.