Thiem Storms Back To Reach Metz Final

With the top four seeds in the semi-finals of an ATP World Tour event for the first time in 2016, a pair of enticing match-ups were on tap on Saturday at the Moselle Open.

Top seed Dominic Thiem kicked off proceedings in Metz with a dramatic rally to overcome two-time champion Gilles Simon 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. The Austrian found himself with his back against the wall with Simon serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but he would not be denied his spot in the final. Thiem broke back with a massive down-the-line forehand and secured another break at 6-5 to force a decider with a cross-court backhand winner.

Thiem continued to apply pressure on Simon’s serve in the third set and despite failing to break from 0/40 at 2-1, he would claim the decisive lead four games later when the Frenchman sent a backhand long. The World No. 10 fired 38 winners and took 16 of 25 net points to prevail after two hours and 18 minutes. He is now a staggering 21-1 in deciding sets this year.

“I expected a very hard match,” said Thiem. “We always have long rallies. If he played one more good game at 5-4, the match is finished.

“It’s a dream to play in six finals. I never expected it. It’s always something really special.” 

Thiem, who is No. 7 in the Emirates ATP Race To London, continued his push to qualify for the season finale for the first time, as he advances to his sixth ATP World Tour final of the season. Having already won on the clay of Buenos Aires and Nice, outdoor hard courts of Acapulco and grass of Stuttgart, he is seeking his first title on indoor hard this week. The Austrian awaits home hope Lucas Pouille on Sunday.

Simon, a two-time champion (2010, ’13) in Metz, had won 14 of his past 15 matches in the French city entering Saturday. He was appearing in his first ATP World Tour semi-final of the season.