By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, September 23, 2018
Dominic Thiem roared through 10 of the last 11 game crushing Martin Klizan, 6-3, 6-1, to win his first hard-court indoor title in St. Petersburg.
Photo credit: St. Petersburg Open/Formula_TX
Dominic Thiem is a man for all seasons and a champion of all conditions.
Empowered by a seven-game surge Thiem crushed Martin Klizan, 6-3, 6-1, storming to his first career indoor title at the St. Petersburg Open.
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When Klizan sailed a wild forehand wide, Thiem thrust his arms in celebration of his 11th career title.
Thiem has won eight titles on clay, one on outdoor hard court (2016 Acapulco), one on grass (2016 Stuttgart) and now indoor hard court.
The top-seeded Thiem blew open a 3-all deadlock blasting through 10 of the final 11 games wrapping up a commanding 68-minute victory.
"I think the match was tough in the beginning," Thiem said. "It was really close. He was playing well, hitting a lot of winners, serving well and I think with the first break I did I put the match in my direction.
"I also think that he had some physical issues because of the tough matches he had during the week and I was staying very focused from the beginning to the end. Of course, I'm very happy and it's a very special moment for me."
Dominant on serve, Thiem won 18 of 21 first-serve points and denied both break points he faced, raising his record to an ATP-best 48-15.
It marks the third time in last four years the Austrian has captured three or more titles in a season.
The result was a first for both players: Thiem defeated the 29-year-old Slovak for the first time in four Tour-level meetings, while Klizan suffered his first career setback in St. Petersburg as well as his first loss in an ATP final.
The 2012 champion took the court with a 9-0 record in St. Petersburg and a 6-0 lifetime record in ATP fnals, tying Ernests Gulbis for most finals wins without a loss since the ATP Tour began.
"The matches I lost to him were close," Thiem said. "It's 7-6 in the third and 7-5 in the third so really close and I always had good chances. I found a good spot here in St. Petersburg to beat him for the first time. It's a very nice tournament and my first title indoors, so it's a very special day for me."
The French Open finalist said after his semifinal win over Roberto Bautista Agut, he played to watch video of his past matches with Klizan.
Thiem proved to be a quick study.
Serving with accuracy and smacking his forehand with ambition, Thiem repeatedly hurt Klizan driving his forehand to the left-hander's backhand. Deadlocked at 3-all, Thiem lifted his level and a distressed Klizan could not keep up.
The depth of Thiem's drives was troubling for the former champion. Thiem touched the baseline with a shot to back his opponent up then torched a 106 mph forehand winner breaking for a 2-0 second-set lead.
Breezing through his seventh straight game, Thiem consolidated for 3-0.
During the ensuing changeover, Klizan asked for treatment for a knee issue but was apparently told the trainer could do an evaluation, but he'd have to wait for treatment. A raging Klizan slammed his water bottle in disgust.
Klizan, who rolled his ankle in his quarterfinal win over Denis Shapovalov, channeled anger into action finally stopping his slide to hold for 1-3. That was his last stand.
A brilliant running forehand flick helped Thiem hold for 4-1.
Swinging freely, Thiem dotted the baseline with a drive leaving a flat-footed Klizan staring at the spot and hoping for a Hawk-Eye over-rule. Replay showed the ball touched the line as Thiem broke for 5-1.
When Klizan sailed an unruly forehand, Thiem was St. Petersburg champion.