Medvedev storms back to beat Thiem and claim ATP Finals title
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[November 23, 2020]
By Martyn Herman
LONDON (Reuters) - Daniil Medvedev
barged to the head of the queue of young pretenders as the Russian
captured the biggest title of his career by beating Dominic Thiem
4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 in an absorbing climax to London's last ATP Finals on
Sunday.
Thiem was on course to become the first Austrian to win the title,
following on from his recent U.S. Open triumph, but the relentless
Medvedev turned the tide to strike a blow for the new generation
striving to shake up the tennis hierarchy.
There was no big celebration as he fired an unreturnable first serve
on match point to end the two hours and 42 minutes scrap, bringing
the curtain down on 12 memorable years at the O2 Arena before Turin
takes over as host of the tournament.
Fittingly the London era ended as it began with a Russian winner
after Nikolay Davydenko took the 2009 title.
Sadly for an event that attracted 2.8 million fans over the years to
the Thames-side arena, the finale, a vintage edition, played out in
a silent arena because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the millions watching on TV will have appreciated the skill of
Medvedev, who became only the fourth player in ATP history to beat
the world's top three at the same tournament.
He joins David Nalbandian (Madrid 2007), Novak Djokovic (Montreal
2007) and Boris Becker (Stockholm 1994).
"It's amazing," Medvedev, who earned $1.56 million as an unbeaten
champion, told reporters. "I beat Novak (in the group), Rafa in the
semis and Dominic, the best players in tennis right now. It shows
what I'm capable of."
IMAGINATIVE GAME
Medvedev's imaginative game, a blend of sledgehammer power, cunning
angles and unreadable serving, proved beyond Djokovic in the group
phase and then second-ranked Rafael Nadal in Saturday's semi-final.
The 27-year-old Thiem appeared to have mastered it but ultimately
was overwhelmed.
"I think Dominic was a little tired in the third set and to make him
tired in a three-set match is tough," Medvedev said.
His triumph came a year after a chastening three defeats on his
debut. The only other player to achieve such a drastic turnaround is
Djokovic in 2008.
After such a hot streak, including claiming this month's Paris
Masters, the Moscovite was due a dip and it arrived in the first set
as he threw away a 40-0 lead on serve at 2-2, gifting Thiem a break
with a double-fault.
[to top of second column] |
Russia's Daniil Medvedev
celebrates with the trophy after winning the final match against
Austria's Dominic Thiem Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
It proved enough for Thiem to pocket the first set and he went for
the quick kill in the second as Medvedev's usually rock-solid serve
and forehand wavered.
MENACING MEDVEDEV
The Russian hung tough though, saving break points at 2-2 and 3-3,
and began to look menacing as the tiebreak arrived.
Thiem led 2-0 but Medvedev reeled off seven points in a row to
ensure London's farewell would go the distance.
Thiem, who had also beaten Nadal and Djokovic this week, had spent
two more hours on court than Medvedev to reach the final and his
silky game began to fray.
Medvedev stalked him with his power and accuracy and the Russian
secured the vital break of serve at 2-2 with a stealthy approach and
volleyed winner.
Thiem dug in but world number four Medvedev never looked like
letting his lead slip as he became the fifth successive first-time
winner of the title.
Medvedev's peers Alexander Zverev, 23, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, 22,
won the last two titles here but neither have gone on to claim a
Grand Slam.
Medvedev will enter 2021 as the man most likely to make that
breakthrough for the much-hyped next generation.
"For tennis there are exciting times coming," Thiem said of the new
vanguard. "Super important for the sport in general."
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis/Ken Ferris/Paul
Simao)
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