Dominic Thiem beats Novak Djokovic in three sets to reach final of ATP Finals

Dominic Thiem held his nerve to beat Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (7-5) in two hours and 57 minutes to the reach the final of the ATP Finals for the second consecutive year. 

Thiem once again got the better of Djokovic in London having beaten the Serbian in last year’s tournament – that time in the group stages. 

Looking forward to the final the world No 3 said: ‘After I fought so hard to get to the final, in the group stages and as well today, of course I will try everything to win the title.

‘I’m looking forward [to the final] a lot. It’s going to be the last match of a very special and very tough year for everybody. We’re going to try to put [on] a great show for everybody that is watching.’

Having won the first set with the only break of serve in the match the Austrian had four match points in the second set tie-breaker – all of which he failed to convert. 

Instead, it was Djokovic who edged the tie-breaker, converting his second set point to bring the scores level.

The world No 1 looked in the ascendancy and had the momentum going into the final set tie-breaker. He led 4-0, before Thiem unleashed a series of sensational backhands to mount a comeback.

The US Open champion won the next six points to bring up a further two match points, but this time managed to convert the second to guarantee a new winner of the tournament.

Following the match, the Austrian admitted that he underestimated the nerves he would’ve felt: ‘I thought that after my first big title in New York, maybe would be a little bit more calmer, but that was a mistake, I guess. I was just as tight and as nervous as before.’

By Sajidur Rahman