Home favourite Lucas Pouille has won his first title on the ATP tour after defeating top seed Dominic Thiem 7-6(5), 6-2, in the final of the Metz Open.
In what was a battle between two of the tours most promising rising stars, there was little to distinguish between the two during the start of the match. Nine games went according to serve before a series of opportunities came and went for both players. Thiem had a trio of break points to seal the opening set 6-4, but failed to convert due to some spirited play from the Frenchman. Then it was Pouille’s turn to come so near, but so far, after squandering a breaking point in his favour in the following game as the proceedings went into a roller coaster tiebreak.
Trailing 1-4 in the tiebreaker, Pouille clawed his way back as his higher ranked opponent began to falter. A forehand error followed by a double fault from the Austrian elevated Pouille to his first set set point. The 22-year-old was able to close out the proceedings with a fast serve down the line which was unsuccessfully returned by Thiem.
Pouille’s first set performance dealt a massive mental blow to Thiem as he rapidly faded away on the court. Breaking a further two times to move to a game away from the title, the Frenchman claimed the match in style with his 10th ace.
Becoming the seventh first-time winning on the ATP Tour this season, Pouille achieved the milestone with the help of 27 winners compared to 17 unforced errors. The latest win is his 30th this year and his fifth over a top 10 player.
Celebrating his latest breakthrough, the Frenchman paid tribute to Thiem during the Award ceremony in Metz.
“You have been incredible all year. You have played so many matches, so many good matches.” He said to Thiem.
Despite losing out on his fifth title of 2016, top seed Thiem has drawn a lot of positives from his performance at the tournament.
“I have enjoyed the tournament a lot, I played four very good matches and it was very fun for me.” Thiem said. “I have enjoyed my time a lot in Metz.
In Monday’s rankings Pouille is projected to rise to a career high of 16th in the world. He is one of four Frenchmen ranked inside the top 20.
