ATP finals: Off for Thiem despite first win

The 25-year-old, who has come a long way since losing his first two games, has a better match against Nishikori at 26:30, 19:33, with Federer scoring four goals in the final against group winner Kevin Anderson. Special case five, to play games. However, the Swiss won the first set and thus canceled the last theoretical chance of Lower Austria.

"I spoiled it myself in the previous two games, I did not really think about it today," Thiem said after his success against Nishikori. He does not believe "that it will happen".

Successful start to the playoffs

Lower Austria got off to a good start against the Japanese, against whom they scored 1: 3 in a head-to-head, and immediately went into service, increasing their second break-ball to 2: 0. revealing again as a superior service,

His goal could only be a clear victory, and so was also the 25-year-old. Thiem took advantage in its debut, but also a dozen non-forced mistakes committed by Nishikori, who, despite the weaknesses of the service, were shortened to 1: 3.

Thiem also weakened for the first time on duty after defending four break points in total, but he put 4: 1. In the following match, it was the other way around, Nishikori only defended four break opportunities, before "giving" the goal to the Austrian. He did not hesitate a long time and took the first set with a winner and a total of 41 minutes.

"We wanted the spectators to show themselves again"

The basis for a possible rise was laid, now it was said: do not let go! But Nishikori was sovereign in his service, Thiem had to fight more. At a score of 2: 2, a ball at the net provides the light striker the first break point that his opponent defended worthily. Nishikori was encouraged by the chances given to Thiems and instead of a break, he was 3: 2 for the Japanese.

Thiem moved immediately, but knew that he was leaving a lot. Angry, his bat flew. It was really stimulated then the break for 4: 3. The Austrian let slip some interesting points. At first, he won the match at 5: 3. Nishikori was again able to shorten, but with an unbridled fighting spirit, Thiem then developed his first match point, which he used without hesitation.

Thiem was pleased with his performance during his first reaction on the field. "I'm very happy today, I was feeling good and I really wanted to do a lot better, two days ago I played very badly and I wanted to show it to the public again."