Daniil Medvedev barged to the head of the queue of young pretenders as the Russian captured the biggest title of his career by beating Dominic Thiem 4-6 7-6(2) 6-4 in an absorbing climax to London’s last ATP Finals on Sunday, reports AFP.
There was no big celebration as he fired an unreturnable first serve on match point to end the two hours and 42 minutes scrap, bringing the curtain down on 12 memorable years at the O2 Arena before Turin takes over as host of the tournament.
“It’s amazing,” Medvedev, who earned $1.56 million as an unbeaten champion, told reporters. “I beat Novak (in the group), Rafa in the semis and Dominic, the best players in tennis right now. It shows what I’m capable of.”
The 27-year-old Thiem appeared to have mastered it but ultimately was overwhelmed. “I think Dominic was a little tired in the third set and to make him tired in a three-set match is tough,” Medvedev said.