A week shy of going a year without winning an ATP title, Dominic Thiem has won his second Argentina Open trophy after dismissing Aljaz Bedene 6-2, 6-4, in the final.
The world No.6, who also won the tournament back in 2016, took advantage of a string of errors made by his 28-year-old opponent. Bedene was participating in his third ATP final, compared to Thiem who was playing in his 13th. Separated by 45 places in the ATP rankings, it was the Austrian who managed to prevail during the crunch moments of the match.
“I’m really, really happy. My first title of the year and my second in Buenos Aires. I really love it here. I love the crowd and I love the tournament.” Thiem told TYC Sports.
A series of impressive shots from both players got the final off to a promising start with a sequence of lengthy baseline exchanges between the two. Nevertheless, Thiem was undeterred by his opponent, who managed to get only 48% of his first serves in. The top seed got his first breakthrough in the sixth game after a backhand error from Bedene gifted him a break for 3-2. Two games later it was a case of deja vu as Bedene hit another costly error, this time from the forehand side, to extend Thiem’s lead increase to 5-2. Allowing him to seal the opening set with ease.
Easy does it.
Top seed @ThiemDomi with the first set 6-2 over Bedene.#ArgentinaOpen pic.twitter.com/BKFruZv933
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 18 February 2018
Despite the promising start, clinching the Buenos Aires trophy was far from straightforward for the match favourite. Bedene, who defeated two top five seeds on route to the final, eventually regained his focus to pose as a more resilient rival on the clay court. Eight games went by in the second set with both players holding firm in their service game before Thiem grabbed a decisive break. A duo of sluggish unforced errors from Bedene handed him the break for 5-4 and a chance to serve for the match. An opportunity he seized on his third championship point with the help of another mistake from his opponent.
“The conditions are perfect for my game. I like it when it is a little bit hotter and the ball in bouncing a lot.” He explained.
“If you feel well in a certain tournament, like I did in Buenos Aires, the chances are high to play well.”
Making his second appearance, the 24-year-old is yet to lose a match in the tournament. Two years ago he stunned Rafael Nadal in the semifinals in what was his first ever victory over a member of the ‘big four.’
“It’s great to have a week without a loss. It gives me a lot of confidence. I’m super happy and it was my goal when I came here. It’s unreal that I have achieved it.“ He evaluated.
Thiem has become the first top seed to win in Argentina since Nadal in 2015. He exits the tournament with 250 ranking points and $101, 360 in prize money. It is his ninth tour title and first since the Rio Open.
