ATP Finals: Dominic Thiem Claims Thrilling Victory Over Novak Djokovic To Reach Final

 

Dominic Thiem will be making his second career appearance in the final of the Nitto ATP Finals after outlasting Novak Djokovic in a thrilling three-setter, 7-5 6-7(10) 7-6(5) at the O2 Arena, London. 

After losing the opener, the top-seeded player, Djokovic, came back stronger in the second set forcing a tiebreak and rallied at 9-10 to claimed three consecutive points to win the set.  

"I thought after my first big title in New York I would be more calm but that was a mistake," said the third-seeded player. "I was just as tight and nervous as before - it was so much on the edge this match."

The US Open champion delivered a stunning performance in the decider tiebreak rallying from 0-4 winning six straight points and wrapped up the victory after Djokovic hit a forehand shot wide. 

Djokovic was vying for his sixth title of the season but met his end against the Austrian, who lost to the Serb in the final of the Australian Open in a thrilling five-setter 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. 

"I was in a driver's position at 4-0. I thought I was very close to winning it. He just took it away from me," said Djokovic. "But he deserved it because he just went for it and everything worked."

Dominic reached the final of the  ATP Finals last season but lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling three-setter. He now set up a final match with the winner between either Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev on his second appearance.