Dominic Thiem’s career has already been a stellar one, highlighted by a trio of ATP titles last season. The 22-year-old Austrian is one win away from a fourth triumph after scoring one of his most impressive wins on Saturday at the Argentina Open. Thiem saved one match point before upsetting Rafael Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two hours and 50 minutes.
The world No. 19 battled back from a break down in the first before it was Nadal’s turn to recover from a break deficit in the third. Nadal maintained momentum through to the 10th game of the decider, which featured five deuces. Thiem fought off the one match point with a forehand winner and finally managed to hold. He stormed ahead 6-1 in the ‘breaker and capitalized on his fourth opportunity at 6-4 to clinch victory.
“6/4 4/6 7/6 against Rafael Nadal,” Thiem wrote on Facebook. “Bamos defeated Vamos! I can not believe it! It were intense 3 hours on the court today, I fought off a match-point and managed to gain a win over one of the best clay courters. To beat such a player is insane, I will never forget that moment in my life.”
Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYrgbQYDozU
A few hours later at the Memphis Open, 18-year-old American Taylor Fritz continued his amazing run by overcoming Ricardas Berankis 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 the semifinals. Fritz is the youngest American man in an ATP final since Michael Chang lifted a trophy in Wembley at 17 years old in 1989.
Fritz feature:
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