Nitto ATP Finals 2020: “I’m happy that I got it today,” Dominic Thiem after his nervy straight-sets win against Rafael Nadal


Nitto ATP Finals 2020: “I’m happy that I got it today,” Dominic Thiem after his nervy straight-sets win against Rafael Nadal
Dominic Thiem

Dominic Thiem has had a great year so far, he reached the Australian Open final and went one step ahead in September when he won his first US Open title. He entered this year’s ATP Finals after recovering from a toe injury, but if his start at the tournament is anything to go by, then the Austrian might well be on his way to picking his second title of the year.

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After a tough three-setter win against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Thiem entered Tuesday’s clash against Rafael Nadal in high spirits. In one of the highest quality matches we will ever witness, Thiem managed to beat Nadal by winning two tiebreakers on the trot. With exceptional quality on display from both the sides, Thiem did need a little bit of luck to win this one.

“I was pretty lucky to get the first set,” says Thiem after a hard-fought first set win

Dominic Thiem

Thiem played some fascinating tennis for 2 hours 25 minutes straight to take the match home and get one step closer to the semis. In the post-match interview, Thiem admitted to how intense the game was and how close Rafa came to winning it at several points throughout the match.

“I think it was a great match from the first to the last point and actually I was pretty lucky to get the first set. I was, I think, 2-5 down in the tiebreak and against Rafa it’s nice to win the first set obviously but still he’s there 100% from the first to the last point, said the Austrian.

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Commenting on the future clashes that he will face at the Finals this year, Thiem said, “It’s like I said the other day – I think all 8 players are in a great shape both physically and mentally so we’re going to see a lot of close matches, lots of close tiebreaks like today and as always the one who is a little bit luckier, the one who has the slightly better day is going to win and I’m happy that I got it today.”

Also Read: Nitto ATP Finals 2020: Dominic Thiem ‘delighted’ to have brother Moritz around on tour