Dominic Thiem beat Albert Ramos Vinolas 7-6 (7-0) 6-1 after 1 hour and 38 minutes in the final of the Generali Open to clinch his first title in the home tournament in Kitzbuhel five years after finishing runner-up to David Goffin.
Thiem has become the first Austrian player to win in Kitzbuhel since Thomas Muster in 1993. Earlier this year he won two titles in Indian Wells and Barcelona and finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. He is the third player to win three titles in 2019 after Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
This week he beat Sebastian Ofner, Pablo Andujar, Lorenzo Sonego and Albert Ramos Vinolas en route to clinching the 14th title of his career.
The Austrian star saved all six break points he faced to beat last week’s Gstaad champion Albert Ramos Vinolas.
Ramos Vinolas fended off two break points in the first game and did not convert five break point chances at 2-1.
Both players set up a tie-break after a rain delay at 4-5. The Austrian star raced out to a 6-0 lead in the tie-break and closed out the first set 7-0 with a forehand winner down the line after 68 minutes.
Thiem earned an early break in the second game after a forehand error from Ramos Vinolas to build up a 3-0 lead at the start of the second set after dropping just 2 of the first 14 opening points. Thiem went up a double break after Ramos Vinolas netted another forehand. Thiem saved a break point before sealing the win on his first championship point, when Ramos Vinolas fired a forehand return.
“It is already one of most beautiful moments ever in my tennis career. It was one of the most emotional moments because I have a special connection with Kitzbuhel. I was here for the first time when I was six on this huge centre court. I was watching the tournament many times. I got my first wild card and now to finish the tournament as the champion is incredible. I reached one of my big childhood goal today”,said Thiem.
