Thiem edges Tsitsipas in ATP Finals opener

London’s final version of the ATP Finals opened on Sunday with a repeat of final yr’s ultimate however this time Dominic Thiem prevailed in opposition to Greek defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Just as of their showdown 12 months in the past, the standard was excessive however the ambiance was distinctly flat inside an empty O2 Arena as U.S. Open champion Thiem gained 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3.

Rafa Nadal, bidding to assert the one main title to elude him, begins his problem later in opposition to Russian debutant Andrey Rublev within the day’s different London Group match.

“It was a tough match, both of us served well and conditions were fast,” Austrian Thiem, enjoying on the elite year-ender for the fifth time in succession, stated on court docket.

“I know how important it is to have a good start in the first match here.”

The ATP Finals, in its 50th version, is being staged in London’s O2 Arena for the 12th and final time earlier than it strikes to Turin and sadly plans for a vibrant farewell occasion in entrance of the same old sell-out crowds has been scuppered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cavernous enviornment, which holds near 20,000 folks in match set-up, was darkish and empty because the gamers walked on court docket to the same old fanfare and music.

And they supplied a high-quality match. There was nothing between them within the first set however Tsitsipas, who saved the one break factors on supply, seemed set to take the opener when he led 4-1 within the tiebreak, just for Thiem to hit again.

On set level down Tsitsipas had the court docket at his mercy with a straightforward put-away however Thiem guessed proper to get again into the purpose with a lob after which compelled an error.

Tsitsipas took the second set with an early break however Thiem broke early within the decider and that proved adequate.