ATP Finals Day 3 as it happened - Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas earn wins
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Updated 17/11/2020 at 22:11 GMT
Rafael Nadal is aiming for a first-ever title, Novak Djokovic is looking to further consolidate his position as world number one and Stefanos Tsitsipas is hoping to defend his trophy from last year. But Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev and Diego Schwartzman will all be hoping to build a run of their own as London says farewell to the tournament.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Image credit: Getty Images
GAME, SET AND MATCH! – TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 7-6 RUBLEV.
The defending champion remains in the hunt! He saves a match point and comes through the tie break by an 8-6 scoreline to secure victory in one hour and 55 minutes. It proved to be a tight affair after the Greek ran away with the opener. Tsitsipas’ win means Thiem has qualified for the last four, while the Greek will meet Nadal in a winner takes all showdown.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates
Image credit: Getty Images
Tie break latest
Rublev hits back from 5-2 down to set up match point at 6-5. He then double faults. Six apiece and another change of ends.
Tie break latest
It’s 4-2 to Tsitsipas at the change of ends.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 6-6 RUBLEV
We are heading into a tie break decider! Tsitsipas bites back from 0-30 and then gets a warning for coaching from his Dad!
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 5-6 RUBLEV
Not a bad position to be in for Rublev. With the clock on 19 minutes, few would have imagined he’d be deep in a decider over an hour later. Another effective hold piles pressure on Stefanos again.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 5-5 RUBLEV
Déjà vu but no repeat for Stef this time. He corks a stunning crosscourt forehand to hold to 15 and avoid another late set slump.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 4-5 RUBLEV
Andrey suffers a mini wobble from 40-0 up but recovers in time to edge ahead again from deuce.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 4-4 RUBLEV
Despite the obvious frustration, the Greek starlet is keeping calm on serve, whether it be a powerhouse delivery or a 1-2 forehand punch.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 3-4 RUBLEV
More disappointment and irritation for Tsitsipas. He cries out in Greek on numerous occasions as he fails to make inroads from 0-30.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 3-3 RUBLEV
All square. Big Stef gallivants to a highly efficient love hold. Doubt many people would have predicted it would be so finely poised after that first set. But here we are. Still anyone's match.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 2-3 RUBLEV
No scares this time around for Rublev. It’s a pretty straightforward and simple hold to keep his nose in front.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 2-2 RUBLEV
A sizzling return cues Rublev up to take the opening point of the game and he fist pumps away. Tsitsipas barely gives it a glance as he settles back into that big serving rhythm to come through and level with relative ease.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 1-2 RUBLEV
Andrey shows real grit to repel FIVE break points with some clutch serving. It’s one of the longest games of this match and a massive hold for the world number eight.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 1-1 RUBLEV
The reigning champion rediscovers his serving mojo after that disaster at the end of Set 2. He breezes to a hold to 15 to get on the board.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 0-1 RUBLEV
The Russian leads for the very first time in the match. His serve is almost purring now, especially in comparison to that opening set. He nails an ace down the middle T to conclude a hold to 30.
SET! - TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-6 RUBLEV.
Wow. Where did that come from? Rublev gets HUGE reward for hanging tough in this set. He benefits from misjudgement on a charge to the net from his opponent before Tsitsipas horribly miscues a forehand. The gift of three set points is gracefully received and he only needs one as Stef’s sudden shocker ends with him firing long and being broken to love.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-5 RUBLEV
More dogged work from Rublev. He’s refusing to bow out without a fight. He faces danger when Tsitsipas springs defence into attack with a deep forehand for 15-30. But the Russian battles on and digs out the hold.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 4-4 RUBLEV
Same drill for Stefanos. Rublev making no impact on the return game at all.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 3-4 RUBLEV
Gutsy play from Rublev. He staves off double break point and then finds a pair of beastly serves from deuce. Still on serve, but the games continue to hurry by.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 3-3 RUBLEV
Tsitsipas has pretty much stayed in the same zone. He’s serving superbly and has little trouble in securing a love hold.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 2-3 RUBLEV
The world number eight drops a point on his serve for the first time in this set via an ugly double fault, It comes at 40-0 up and is merely a blip on his way to another easy hold.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 2-2 RUBLEV
It was always going to be hard for this match to live up to the one that preceded it. Tsitsipas channels some of that brilliance in a corking backhand down the line, but then does all the heavy lifting with his serve to reach parity with the minimum of fuss.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 1-2 RUBLEV
Those first serves are landing now. It’s making such a difference for the Russian. It’s back-to-back love holds and this match has a different complexion at this moment.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 1-1 RUBLEV
First mini hurdle for Stef. He lashes long as 40-15 turns to deuce. He dusts himself down and crunches down two huge serves. All square but Rublev has much more about him now.
TSITSIPAS 6-1 0-1 RUBLEV
That’s a perfect start. Four first serves in, four points won. He gets the scoreboard advantage rolling in his favour in Set 2.
SET! - TSITSIPAS 6-1 RUBLEV
That’s ridiculous. Stefanos marauds through another easy hold to take the opener in just 19 minutes. He reaches for his towel, but does he need it? He’s not really broken sweat out there so far.
BREAK! – TSITSIPAS 5-1 RUBLEV
Andrey is struggling with his first serve and it’s allowing Tsitsipas to get in to the net on his return. He produces a lovely volley to take control of the game and then forces hurried errors with more darts to the middle to leave Rublev exasperated. It’s a double break and Set 1 looks done and dusted.
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Andrey Rublev
Image credit: Getty Images
TSITSIPAS 4-1 RUBLEV
It seems like this match is racing by. Rallies have been few and far between. A nice exchange of backhand to backhand concludes a game to 15 for Tsitsipas as the Russian is the first to blink.
TSITSIPAS 3-1 RUBLEV
Much better from Andrey. He finds some fine rhythm on serve and dashes through to get on the board. It’s very early in the contest, but he really needed that.
TSITSIPAS 3-0 RUBLEV
Stef means business! Is he in a hurry? Looks that way as he consolidates the break with a quick-fire love hold. Rublev’s body language was poor against Nadal and he’s fidgeting a bit already here.
BREAK! – TSITSIPAS 2-0 RUBLEV
A good start just became a brilliant one. Tsitsipas sees a 0-30 lead slip but glides into the net and forces Rublev to fizz a crosscourt backhand just wide. The Russian comes under more pressure thanks to a deep return from the Greek and coughs up the break with weak drive into the net.
TSITSIPAS 1-0 RUBLEV
The defending champion thunders down some big serves as he gets off to a solid start with a hold to 30.
Coin toss
Rublev won it and opted to receive.
DID YOU KNOW?
The last time a man progressed after losing his first two matches at this tournament was way back in 2006. Argentine David Nalbandian was the player in question. Since then only Kei Nishikori in 2016 has advanced with a 1-2 record.
Head to head
Rublev has won two of three matches on the main, but the ATP count the NextGen finals, so Tsitsipas’ victory in the 2018 semi final means it’s 2-2 in the match-up. That is their only indoor hard court meeting to-date. Rublev won at the 2019 US Open while they have split two matches on clay in 2020.
It's time - Tsitsipas v Rublev
Recovered from the Nadal- Thiem epic yet? Well, let’s hope so as we’ve got more tennis for you now. Reigning champion, Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on tournament debutant, Andrey Rublev. Both players suffered defeats in their opening Group London 2020 matches and will be determined to make a more positive impression tonight.
A tennis masterclass!
What a match of tennis that was. The level was incredible. Surely one of the best of the year and one of the finest seen in the 12 years at this tournament at the O2.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! – NADAL 6-7 6-7 THIEM
It’s another tie break that goes Thiem’s way by a 7-4 scoreline – and with it he claims victory in one of the most high quality matches of the year to edge Nadal in two hours and 25 minutes. The Austrian played the big points that bit better when it really mattered. He will qualify for the semis if Tsitsipas beats Rublev tonight, but looks in great shape regardless.
TB LATEST
It’s topsy-turvy stuff again. Nadal misses a sitter after earning a mini break but then slaps down a tough overhead. Thiem does the same before a crisp forehand ensures the No.2 seed takes a seat at the change of ends at 3-3.
NADAL 6-7 6-6 THIEM
Much more composed from Nadal this time around. He’s as focused as ever as he charges through a hold to 15 to force another tie break. He’s got a miserable record v the Austrian in TBs but needs to turn that around if he’s to stay in the match.
NADAL 6-7 5-6 THIEM
After the drama of that last game, this was is a stroll. Thiem eases to a love hold. He’s guaranteed another tie break, but there’s big pressure on Nadal now – again…
NADAL 6-7 4-5 THIEM
More disappointment for Nadal who may be feeling it’s going to be one of those days. At 30-30 he looks to return a second serve deep, but overcooks it. Thiem is relieved. The Spaniard can’t make the most of his return and Domi holds. If he breaks now, he’ll win the match.
BREAK! – NADAL 6-7 4-4 THIEM
Well, well ,well. You wait so long for one break… Nadal is pretty much the break back king, but he gets a taste of his own medicine here. An unfortunate clip off the net from a crosscourt backhand gives Thiem his first two break points of the match. Nadal saves the first with a crunching forehand after a brutal rally before coming unstuck as Thiem’s defence and power prove too good.
BREAK! – NADAL 6-7 4-3 THIEM
Vamos for Rafa! The No.2 seed sees 0-30 snatched away by two aces and a crunching first serve. He makes deuce with a deep, awkward backhand that lures an error and then gets another chance of the break with a smart return. Thiem has him on the run, but he guesses right on the Austrian’s crosscourt forehand and guides it into the empty court. A breakthrough at last.
NADAL 6-7 3-3 THIEM
After being treated to blockbusting rallies for a set and a bit, the last few games have been far more routine. Nadal holds to 15 courtesy of some big serving. Still so finely poised here.
NADAL 6-7 2-3 THIEM
The Dominator responds with his own rapid, perfect hold and nudges the board once more.
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Dominic Thiem
Image credit: Getty Images
NADAL 6-7 2-2 THIEM
Rafa unloads a trio of unreturnable serves and cruises to a love hold. He’ll be desperate to make a breakthrough here. He probably edged the first set, but still couldn’t win it. He’s asked most of the questions in terms of points in this set too, but Thiem has had the answers so far.
NADAL 6-7 1-2 THIEM
Nadal tries to kick-start something with a stunning pass on the run. He has control of the next point, but is undone by the same extraordinary pass from his opponent. Thiem feels the heat at 30-30, but in-keeping with the rest of this match, he finds the way to turn it in his favour.
NADAL 6-7 1-1 THIEM
Rafa is having to work hard to handle Thiem’s hot-streak at the moment. He somehow holds off the Austrian’s charge and slaps down a big wide serve to level. The level of this match is frighteningly good.
NADAL 6-7 0-1 THIEM
Domi is really stepping up on the key points right now. He faces break point but lets fly with a barrage of thumping forehands to completely overwhelm the world number two. The US Open winner then digs out the hold from deuce to snare the scoreboard advantage in Set 2.
SET! – NADAL 6-7 THIEM
A rollercoaster of a tie break goes the way of Thiem on his first attempt after Nadal had two set points. The Austrian takes it 9-7 with a sizzling crosscourt forehand after a world-class set of tennis. Just the one hour and 13 minutes. What a treat.
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Dominic Thiem
Image credit: Getty Images
TB LATEST: NADAL 6-6 THIEM
That’s some comeback from Thiem! He roars back from 5-2 down in the TB but then double faults at 5-5. Nadal has the set point but hooks a weak backhand into the net. It’s six apiece at the change of ends.
TIE BREAK LATEST - Nadal 4-2 Thiem
It’s mini breaks galore to begin with. Nadal seizes a 2-1 lead with an overhead but then double faults for the first time in the tournament. Another smash puts him in charge before a slice attempt at the net from Thiem flicks off the cord and flies out. Nadal leads 4-2 at the change of ends.
NADAL 6-6 THIEM
The world number two makes his intentions clear with one of the best touch volleys you’ll see from Thiem’s delightful tweener. He then blows a forehand attempt wide and Domi seizes the let off. A brutal crosscourt forehand clinches the game and ensures this world-class set will be decided by a TB.
NADAL 6-5 THIEM
No real danger for Nadal as he again serves well and surges into the net to good effect. He takes the game to 15 to guarantee himself the minimum of a tie break.
NADAL 5-5 THIEM
The hold to 15 suggests it’s routine, but some of the tennis is far from that. The point of the game comes after a quite blistering rally concludes with a disguised, deft touch form Thiem. Rafa can’t do enough with a super pick-up and the Austrian duly lashes it into the empty court.
NADAL 5-4 THIEM
Super recovery from Nadal. He’s left shaking his head in frustration as an unfortunate net cord denies him the volley and sees Thiem apply real pressure at 0-30. The Austrian then wastes a return on a tame second serve and Rafa manages to avoid deuce by outlasting his opponent in another wonderful rally.
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Dominic Thiem of Austria at the Nitto ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 Arena
Image credit: Getty Images
NADAL 4-4 THIEM
So far this is living up to the billing. The power is there for all to see, but the variety and touch is quite breathtaking at times. Nadal produces a delightful drop shot, but Thiem responds with the forehand and a sweet drop shot of his own to reach parity once more.
NADAL 4-3 THIEM
The Dominator’s backhand is really pinging down the line and causing Nadal trouble now. The Spaniard responds by darting into the net once more to level from 15-30 and then leans on the serve to nudge the board in his favour once more.
NADAL 3-3 THIEM
Nadal’s forehand has some real penetration about it today. He’s getting more depth and it helps him hit back from 40-15 to make deuce via some cunning anticipation. Thiem begins to land some of those trademark sizzling backhands and then outfoxes Nadal with a delicious pick-up at the net that has just too good an angle to it.
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Rafael Nadal (ATP Finals 2020)
Image credit: Getty Images
NADAL 3-2 THIEM
Lots of variety to that Nadal serve. When the first serve power doesn’t do the damage, the body serve is proving rather effective. He motors through another impressive game, covering the court well to glide a sublime stun volley on the stretch well beyond the stranded Thiem.
NADAL 2-2 THIEM
A real range of wonderful shot-making from Thiem. He lands an ace to start and then takes control from 15-15 with a thunderbolt forehand and a deft pick-up into the far corner from Nadal’s fizzing crosscourt return.
NADAL 2-1 THIEM
Rafa’s first serve has more on it nowadays, but it’s the second serve that catches the eye – much more potent. The world number two shows good hands on three occasions at the net to ease through another strong hold.
NADAL 1-1 THIEM
Nadal has any early look-in courtesy of a brilliant shot on the run and Thiem’s loose crosscourt backhand. The Austrian responds and reels off four points in a row, with Nadal snatching at one second serve he probably could have done more with. All square.
NADAL 1-0 THIEM
Nadal only manages to get one first serve in but still dominates with some ferocious forehands despite some attempts to probe his backhand by Thiem. The Spaniard concludes a solid start with a cute volley to take it to 15.
Coin toss
Thiem loses the toss and Nadal opts to serve first after the warm up.
Some permutations
Nadal will book a spot in the last four if he wins in straight sets. The 20-time Slam champion will also progress if he wins and Rublev sinks Tsitsipas later.
Thiem, who was the runner-up here last year, will make the semis if he wins and Tsitsipas beats Rublev.
Views from the baseline
Thiem: “I think especially this year all eight players are in great form and are pretty much on a hot streak as well. Rafa and Novak because of all they have achieved and what they are, I think they’re a little bit above the other six.”
Nadal on Thiem: “Great guy, so I'm super happy for him to watch him win his first Grand Slam and he deserves it. He's one of the guys on the Tour that really deserves the success because he's a very hard worker.”
Tie-break twists?
They have only met twice before on a hard court. Thiem won in four sets in Australia while Nadal triumphed in five at the 2018 US Open. Five of those nine sets were decided by a tie break. Will we see similar today?
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Australian Open 2020 - Nadal vs Thiem after the tiebreak in the last set
Image credit: Eurosport
Head-to-head
Nadal leads the match-up 9-5 but this will be their first meeting on an indoor hard court. Thiem won the most recent contest, ousting the Spaniard 7-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 at quarter final stage of this year’s Australian Open.
Thiem time - is Rafa ready?
Here we go then. It's almost time for the first men’s singles clash on Day 3 of the 2020 ATP finals. It’s a heavyweight showdown too. World No.2 Rafael Nadal locks horns with the third best player on the planet, Dominic Thiem. Both players won their opening matches in Group London 2020 and know a victory here will put them well on course to make the semi finals.
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Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal get set to lock horns once again
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ATP Finals - Tuesday order of play
Tuesday 17th November
- Rafael Nadal v Dominic Thiem – 2pm
- Stefanos Tsitsipas v Andrey Rublev – 8pm
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DAY TWO RECAP
Djokovic kickstarts ATP Finals campaign by powering past Schwartzman
Novak Djokovic got his ATP Finals campaign off to a strong start with a 6-3, 6-2 win over tournament debutant Diego Schwartzman.
After the pair traded routine holds to start the match, Schwartzman made the first move, capitalising on an error-strewn Djokovic service game to draw first blood. His lead was short-lived, with the Serb peppering his opponent's forehand to break back.Schwartzman was undeterred and continued to make inroads on the Djokovic serve, but without success. Receiving at 4-3, the world No 1 made his move, getting the decisive break before closing out the first set without issue.
He carried that momentum into the second set, winning the first two games at a canter to make it five games in a row. Schwartzman was able to stem the flow there, but Djokovic was well into the swing of things. A second break followed to make it 4-1 in the second, and though the Argentine was able to restore a bit of pride by winning his fifth game of the encounter, there was no stopping the Australian Open winner.
Medvedev defeats Zverev in straight sets
Daniil Medvedev got his ATP Finals campaign off to the best possible start as he beat Alex Zverev 6-3, 6-4 in his first match.
Medvedev, currently ranked fourth, is expected to pose the biggest threat to pre-tournament favourites Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The Russian went home empty-handed from his debut at the season-ender last year, losing all three matches.
But after an error-strewn opening to the match from both players, the 24-year-old dominated the 2018 champion who again struggled with his shaky serve.
ATP Finals - results
Sunday
Men's doubles
- Koolhof/Mektic (5) beat Krawietz/Mies (3) 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 10-7
- Salisbury/Ram (2) beat Kubot/Melo (8) 7-5 3-6 10-5
Men's singles
- Thiem (3) beat Tsitsipas (6) 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3
- Nadal (2) beat Rublev (7) 6-3 6-4
Monday
Men's doubles
- Granollers/Zeballos (4) beat Peers/Venus 7-6 7-5
- Pavic/Soares (1) vs Melzer/Roger-Vasselin (7) 6-7 6-1 10-4
Men's singles
- Djokovic (1) beat Schwartzman (8) 6-3 6-2
- Medvedev (4) beat Zverev (5) 6-3 6-4
Who is playing?
The eight singles players competing at this year’s ATP Finals will be Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev and Diego Schwartzman.
This year qualification is based on the ATP rankings (excluding points gained at last year’s ATP Finals) rather than a ‘Race to London’ ranking due to the disrupted season.
What’s the schedule?
The tournament at London's O2 Arena runs from November 15 to November 22.
There will be two singles matches played every day before the semi-finals on Saturday, November 21 and the final on Sunday, November 22.
What are the groups?
Group Tokyo 1970
- Novak Djokovic
- Daniil Medvedev
- Alexander Zverev
- Diego Schwartzman
Group London 2020
- Rafael Nadal
- Dominic Thiem
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Andrey Rublev
What’s the format?
The eight singles players are divided into two four-player groups, with each player facing their three group rivals and the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Standings are determined by number of wins and if players are tied then it is decided on by their head-to-head record.
Rublev, who has won five titles in 2020, and Schwartzman, will be competing at the finals for the first time. There will be four players aged 24 and under for the second straight year.
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