What a start for Dominic Thiem (ATP 5) in the $ 9 million endowed ATP season finale in London. At the indoor hard court tournament, the 26-year-old from Lower Austria won against a phase-wise faulty Roger Federer (ATP 3) after a strong performance with 7: 5, 7: 5.

In the first set Thiem started equally furious: The Lightsworter took in the first game the 103 times ATP champion equal from the service and brought in his episode to the meantime 2-0 by. Even though Federer came back and replied a little later with the postponed re-break, the Austrian number one was not dissuaded from his way with variable and powerful blows. At the score of 5: 5 Thiem took the Swiss again from the service and laid with the 7: 5 to the set profit.

In the second round, the 38-year-old experienced from Basel came a bit better into play with the playing time. For a break it was not enough. Although Thiem had to compensate for the six-time ATP Finals Champion with his premium always on the service Federers. Up to 5: 5, however, the 16-time ATP tournament winner managed with flying colors. And not only that, but as in the first set Thiem succeeded a break to 6: 5. Thiem did not give up this lead again and won the match after the second match point after an hour and 40 minutes of play time.

Third victory in series

For Thiem it was after the loss to Federer a year ago in the group stage at the same place already the third victory in series this year against the "Maestro". In the seven duels Federer has advanced to a kind of favorite opponent of the Austrians. In the previous clashes, including Thiem's launch in London, there were five wins for the Austrian.

In the second Round Robin round, Thiem and Federer face Novak Djokovic (ATP 2) and Matteo Berrettini (ATP 8) in the Björn Borg group on Tuesday. The duel between Djokovic and Berrettini had won in the previous afternoon session Djokovic 6: 2, 6: 1 for themselves.

The draw at the ATP Finals