Updates: Djokovic Leads Thiem In London

In a battle of London unbeatens, Novak Djokovic leads Dominic Thiem 7-6(5) after one high-octane set on Tuesday night at the Nitto ATP Finals.

Djokovic broke for a 3-1 lead when Thiem sailed a swinging forehand volley long. But Thiem, who was serving and volleying, matching Djokovic in the quick conditions, responded with a break to love to put them back on serve.

In the tie-break, Thiem pulled even behind his best forehands of the match. But at 5/5, he lifted a forehand long and Djokovic clinched the first set on his serve. At times, the Serbian was playing like he did in big moments earlier this year in London, during the Wimbledon final (d. Federer), and answering everything Thiem threw at him.

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With a win against Thiem, Djokovic, World No. 2, can pull to within 240 points of No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the battle for year-end No. 1. The Serbian is looking to finish year-end No. 1 for the sixth time, which would tie Pete Sampras' record (1993-98).

If Thiem wins, he will reach the semi-finals for the first time at the Nitto ATP Finals. Regardless of the match's outcome, Djokovic will have to wait until Thursday to attempt to qualify for the last four.

Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 6-3 and has won all three hard-court matchups. Thiem made his ATP Finals debut against Djokovic in 2016, pushing the World No. 2 to three sets.

But the Austrian has won three of his past four meetings with Djokovic, all on clay and highlighted by a five-set semifinal at Roland Garros that spanned two days and snapped Djokovic’s 26-match Grand Slam win streak.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/36Wjb5w