After falling short on two previous occasions, Dominic Thiem has clinched his first Masters 1000 title after defeating Roger Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, in the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
The 25-year-old battled back from a set down with the help of an aggressive game plan. Illustrating why he has been mentioned as one of the principle players to rise to the top of the men’s game when the era of the ‘Big Four’ comes to an end. The triumph of the Austrian is a bittersweet pill for Federer to swollow, who also narrowly missed out on the title last year. Federer was bidding to become the first player in history to win in Indian Wells for a sixth time.
Only three places separate the two players in the ATP rankings, but it was the more experienced Federer who was the overwhelming favourite heading into the final. The world No.5 was playing in his 49th Masters final, compared to Thiem’s third. Seeking his 101st title on the tour. Nevertheless, Thiem prevailed with the help of 24 winners to 25 unforced errors. Winning 70% of his first service points and saving nine out of the 11 break points he faced.
“First of all, Roger it’s such a pleasure to still compete with you, to learn so much with you, to play with one of the biggest legends of all time, to play in a big final with you… it’s amazing. It’s not real for me.” Thiem said to his opponent after the match.
In the fifth instalment of their rivalry on the premier Indian Wells stadium, it was the Swiss player who got off to a perfect start by racing to a 3-0 lead. Capitalising on an error-stricken Thiem service game. Despite his solid start, Federer didn’t have it all his own way during during the opening set thanks to a relentless Thiem battling back to close the deficit to 4-3.
Spin when you're winning#BNPPO19 @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/a634C0I4il
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 17, 2019
Engaged in a fight, Federer managed to prevail against the increasing predictable serving from the French Open finalist. Thiem’s kick-serve was read like a book by the former world No.1, who returned one of those serves with a backhand down the line winner to break for a second time in the match for a 5-3 lead. The opening set was then clinched with the help of a mistake made from across the court.
"I would like to see more variation in his serve. Just look at Roger's, you hardly find back-to-back serves similar to each other." Günter Bresnik on Dominic #Thiem in Austrian TV (@ServusTV)
— Lukas Zahrer (@ZahrerLukas) March 17, 2019
Known for his packed schedule on the tour, Thiem’s resilience eventually paid off. An increase in the intensity of his shot-making throughout set number two derailed the Federer express. Abruptly changing the momentum of the match. The assertiveness of the 20-time grand slam champion evaporated as Thiem took proceedings into a decider. Doing so with the help of a Federer backhand drifting long.
With all to play for, there was little to distinguish between the two during the closing stages of the match. In the end it was just a couple of points that separated Federer from the title. At 5-5 in the decider, a tentative drop shot was punished by Thiem for a chance to break. An opportunity he seized after hitting a cross-court winner. Closing in on his maiden Masters title, Thiem prevailed after 112-minutes of action. Claiming victory after a Federer forehand ploughed into the net.
“I think I had to get use to Roger’s game because in the first set he was playing amazing and completely different to my other opponents I have played in this tournament.” Thiem reflected during an interview with TennisTV.
“I was struggling a little bit, but then I was fighting my way into the match. Got a bit lucky when I saved break points early in the second set. Then I think it was a very good match until the end.”
Thiem now leads their head-to-head 3-2 and has defeated Federer for the first time on a hard court. He is the first player from his country – man or woman – to win the Indian Wells trophy. Meanwhile a disappointed Federer, will have to wait another year to have a shot of winning the tournament for a record sixth time.
“For me, it has been a great week. Even though it didn’t work out.” Said Federer.
“What a great week Dominic has had, congratulations. Beautiful play at the end (of the match).” He added.
Now with a new coaching set-up, which features former Olympic champion Nicolás Massú, Thiem will rise to world No.4 when the rankings are updated on Monday. He is the 67th person to win a Masters title since the category was introduced back in 1990.
