Thiem wins at World Tour Finals for first time, beats Monfils in three sets

With both men seeking the first win of their careers at the World Tour Finals, Dominic Thiem defeated Gael Monfils 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 during Group B round-robin action on Tuesday afternoon. Thiem improved to 1-1 for the event after getting the job done in one hour and 29 minutes.

The world No. 9, who will pass Rafael Nadal at eighth in the world next week, used one break at 3-2 to cruise through the first set before the match turned into something strikingly familiar. In his opening contest against Novak Djokovic on Sunday afternoon, Thiem took the first set before donating the second 6-0 (and ultimately falling 6-7(10), 6-0, 6-2). Against Monfils, Thiem plummeted to 4-0 deficit in the second and eventually dropped it 6-1.

Struggling physically when the second set began, Monfils picked up his aggression–in terms of both serve speed and his willingness to serve and volley. It worked for the sixth-ranked Frenchman throughout the middle frame of play and he also held serve in lightning-quick fashion en route to 3-3 in the decider. Monfils soon fended off three break points to hold for 4-4.

At 4-5, however, Monfils buckled under the pressure–perhaps both mentally and physically. Three consecutive double-faults to the deuce side and a backhand error on match point handed the win to Thiem.

“Not my best,” Monfils responded when asked about his fitness level. “It was a tough one. Dominic was better than me. I think I didn’t play a great match, but I gave everything I had.”

“I think the energy in the first match and today was not perfect, but it was pretty good,” said Thiem, who has played 81 matches this year. “The tournament, the big crowd, the big arena gives me–and gives probably all the players–a lot of energy. I think that’s why everybody is giving his last energy in this tournament.”

If Djokovic defeats Milos Raonic on Tuesday night, Monfils will be eliminated from title contention and Raonic will battle Thiem for a place in the semifinals.

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