Thiem defeated Nadal in two tie-breaks and in the evening he could celebrate the promotion

Last year’s finalist Dominic Thiem and a two-time finalist Rafael Nadal on Sunday they entered the Champions Tournament with victories and today, according to tradition, a mutual duel awaited them in the second round of group fights.

Thiem and Nadal bumped into each other for the fifteenth time, but only for the third time on a hard surface and for the first time in the hall. The last time this year in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the Austrian seven years younger won 3-1 was set, when he won all the sets in a tie-break.

And it was in the abbreviated Thiem games that today’s duel in London’s O2 arena also decided.

In the first act, none of the actors got to breakball. Nadal was in the lead for a long time in the tie-break, but at 5-2 he lost the exchange twice in a row after his service, at 6-5 and 7-6 he did not use the setball and on the contrary Thiem changed his first opportunity.

In the second set, Nadal managed the first break to 4-3, but then he also did not keep the serve for the first time and in addition, in the state of 4-5 and 0-40, he had to turn off three match points in a row. He dealt with everyone, but in a shortened game he could not force the third set.

Is it Thiem’s time in London? ⏰

What a breathtaking performance from @ThiemDomi!

: @TennisTV | #NittoATPFinalspic.twitter.com/BlH0rrhcbu

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 17, 2020

“This was definitely one of the best matches I’ve ever played. A really great match. From the first ball to the last,” Thiem said. “But honestly, I was lucky to win the first set,” he admitted.

He was also pleased that he at least lifted the spirits of compatriots after today’s tightening of measures against the spread of coronavirus. “I hope people enjoyed it at least a little at home. And for a moment they forgot about the hard times we are going through now,” he added.

Both tennis players had a very good ratio of winning strokes to unforced errors. Thiem 37-22, Nadal 25-16.

“We both played at a very high level. But he deserved to win because he played a little better at some key moments. Only a few details decided. But I didn’t play badly either, so I don’t feel bad about it,” said the winner of 20 grand slams and thirteen-time clay champion. Roland Garros.

Thiem played nine tie-breaks against Nadal and won seven of them. He reduced the match balance to 6-9when he first won two duels in a row against Nadal.

Thiem, who defeated Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer on the way to last year’s final, could celebrate advancing to the semifinals in the evening. He needs the Greek defending champion to win Stefanose Tsitsipase over the Russian debutant Andrei Rublev.

Nadal, whose maximum at the Champions Tournament are the finals from 2010 and 2013, would then have a direct battle with Tsitsipas for the 2nd place in the group on Thursday. In the case of Rubljov’s win today, the situation would be more complicated.

– .