Dominic Thiem beat Adrian Mannarino 6-1 6-3 in just 62 minutes to reach the final at the Nice Open where he will defend his last year’s title. Thiem converted five of his 13 break point opportunities.
The young Austrian star dropped just two points in seven games and dropped only one service game. He got an early break in the second game. Mannarino broke straight back back, but Thiem got a double break to clinch the first set 6-1.
Mannarino played better on his second serve in the second set but Thiem broke twice to win the second set. He dropped just one point on serve. Thiem is the second best player in winning matches this year with 35 victories.
“I have played two tough matches against him before, but they were both on hard court. He prefers hard courts and I prefer clay.That’s why it was a bit easier”, said Thiem.
Thiem set up a very interesting final against Alexander Zverev, who edged past Joao Sousa 6-4 4-6 6-2 in two hours and 14 minutes to reach his first final at ATP level. Zverev scored just two points than Sousa (95 to 93) in a close match. Zverev fended off only a break point in the sixth game of the opening set holding his serve after four deuces. Zverev got the break in the seventh game and never looked back to take the first set 6-4.
The second set started with four breaks of serve in the first five games. Zverev went up a set and a break but was broken three times to drop the second set. Sousa held his last two service games and broke in the 10th game to force the match to the decider. Thiem saved all the four break points he faced and broke twice in the third and seventh games to clinch the third set 6-2.
“I am very tired but very proud to be in the final. Joao came back strongly in the second set and I had to step up my game in the third”, said Zverev
Thiem beat Zverev 4-6 6-2 6-3 in their only previous head-to-head match a few weeks ago in Munich.
“It’s our second match in three weeks. In Munich we already knew that we were going to play against each other many more times. Hopefully he will be a bit tired from all the tough matches he has played. He will put all the energy into it and I expect a great match tomorrow”, said Thiem.
