Thiem overcomes Djokovic to reach ATP Finals finale

DOMINIC Thiem defeated world No.1 Novak Djokovic on Saturday to become the first player in four years to reach consecutive championship matches at the ATP Finals.

The Austrian earned a milestone 7-5, 6-7(10), 7-6(5) victory against Djokovic to progress to the season-ending final.

Thiem, the 2019 runner-up, failed to convert four match points in a dramatic second-set tie-break, but held on to win final-set tie-break against Djokovic at The O2 for the second straight year. 

Thiem’s victory was his 300th at tour-level and his fifth against a world No. 1. The last player to reach consecutive finals at the season finale was Djokovic (2012-2016).

“It was for sure a mental battle. I got so tight in the second-set tie-break because to play these legends is always going to be something special,” Thiem said in an on-court interview. 

“Playing for the final here at the Nitto ATP Finals is also something very special and I thought that after my first big title in New York, maybe I’m going to be a little bit more calm, but that was a mistake, I guess. I was just as tight and as nervous as before. It was so much on the edge that match, like every single match here. The best players in the world are facing off. So I’m just incredibly happy to be through and just [will] try to get ready for tomorrow.

“After I fought so hard to get to the final in the group stage and as well now today. Of course I will try everything to win the title,” he added. 

“Anyway now we’re going to have again a first-time winner, no matter what happens in the second semi-final. Both of them will fight 100 per cent today and as well tomorrow, but I’m looking forward a lot. It’s going to be the last match of a very special, of a very tough year for everybody, I guess. We’re going to try to put [on] a great show for everybody that is watching.”

Thiem has now won five of his seven most recent ATP matches against Djokovic, which includes two wins at the ATP Finals. The Austrian also earned a final-set tie-break victory against Djokovic in the round-robin stage last year.

With his fifth win against Djokovic (5-7), Thiem joins Andy Murray as the only players to beat each member of the Big Three on five or more occasions. 

Thiem also owns six wins against Rafael Nadal (6-9) and has triumphed five times against Roger Federer (5-2).

Thiem has excelled in matches against the Big Three since the start of the 2019 ATP Tour season (9-3).