Greece’s tennis ace Stefanos Tsitsipas played some of his best tennis on Sunday but it wasn’t enough to beat Austria’s Dominic Thiem, who won his fourth title of the season 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 at the China Open in Beijing.
Thiem broke in the 10th game of the second set to gain momentum away from reigning Next Gen ATP Finalschampion Tsitsipas, who was going for his first ATP 500 crown.
“I was so close. Literally one point from getting a break, serving for the championship. I just did the wrong thing. I went back, wanted to take some time, in which he played smart. He served and volleyed,” Tsitsipas told ATP Tour.
Tsitsipas was looking to add to his ATP Race To London tally with the third title of his season. But the Greek, with 3,370 points, is still currently in sixth place in the Race and next in line to qualify after the fifth-placed.
“It's my first good tournament after a while. I just need to stay concentrated and not think too big of myself this week,” said Tsitsipas, who had lost five of his past six matches before Beijing. “But I have more tournaments to play. Doing well there, too, would prove that I can be consistent.”
Tsitsipas will receive 300 ATP Rankings points and $364,615 in prize money. Thiem earns 500 ATP Rankings points and $733,790 in prize money.
*Source: ATP Tour