The battle of former finalists went right down to the wire at the Madrid Masters with Stefanos Tsitsipas coming out ahead of Dominic Thiem in three sets 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(7-5).
“It was very physical and I think we both played our best,” Tsitsipas said. “I’m in a way happy that we were able to show that kind of tennis.
“Today sort of showed what kind of intensity two guys that play single-hand backhands can bring to tennis. I’m happy I got away with a win. Things weren’t easy at the very end but I just kept fighting.”
Meeting for the first time in over two years, it was the Thiem jumping out ahead taking the opener before Tsitsipas got into gear behind his serve. At one point, the Greek didn’t miss a first serve for over an hour, recording 39 straight at one point!
In the middle of the third, Tsitsipas would escape from a 0-30 deficit then Thiem would save five break points at 5-all.
Thiem pulled ahead in the breaker 3-1 only to falter at the very end.
“That’s fantastic, 39 is a lot,” Tsitsipas said of the streak to the ATP. “That shows that perhaps I improved today on my serve. That’s a positive mark for me. I think I just owe it all to fluidity and just being relaxed on my serve… I think it’s just pure relaxation and focus.”
Despite the loss, it’s awfully encouraging news for Thiem who just hasn’t been the same since wrist surgery a few years ago. This was his best performance in years.
