Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka didn’t play for six and a half years coming into their conflict Monday night on the Rolex Paris Masters, however the return of their Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry proved properly well worth the wait.
Thiem saved a match level at 3-5 within the third set earlier than rallying previous his fellow former World No. 3 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 for a spot within the second spherical. The tantalising encounter between two of the very best one-handed backhands in current reminiscence finally ended after two hours and 31 minutes at 2:22 a.m. Tuesday morning.
“It’s extremely good to share a terrific and shut match like that with Stan as a result of we have now a historical past collectively of many nice matches,” Thiem stated. “Clearly he is considered one of my huge idols backhand sensible.”
What a end 🤩
After saving a match level, @domithiem edges previous Wawrinka 3-6 6-3 7-5.@RolexPMasters | #RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/aGn92D8Gsa
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 31, 2023
Whereas Thiem hit highlight-reel photographs all through the match, particularly with jaw-dropping passing photographs, it was Wawrinka who was first on the verge of victory. The Swiss held match level at 5-3, 40/30 within the decider, however double-faulted lengthy. It was considered one of six double faults he hit within the match.
Thiem took full benefit of the small opening, getting again on serve when Wawrinka missed a forehand lengthy. In what become a battle of wills, the Austrian broke once more in his subsequent return recreation and didn’t let slip his alternative to shut out the match.
When Wawrinka missed a last forehand return lengthy, Thiem held his arms out in celebration and took a deep breath, an indication of how a lot the second meant. The victory was his first at a hard-court ATP Masters 1000 occasion for the reason that 2019 Rolex Paris Masters.
“The final two years I’ve misplaced extra shut matches than I’ve gained, so this one could be very, crucial for me. The tennis has been getting higher since Vienna. I beat two nice guys within the qualies and now Stan in a match after saving match level, so it offers me an enormous enhance.”
The No. 108 participant within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, who is constant his pursuit of high type after struggling a wrist damage in June 2021, will subsequent play defending champion Holger Rune. The pair met earlier this yr in Monte-Carlo, the place the Dane prevailed in straight units.
Did You Know?
Thiem saved 10 of the 13 break factors he confronted and transformed 4 of his 5 break possibilities on Wawrinka’s serve.