DOMINIC Thiem has turned the tables on world number one, Novak Djokovic in a classic Indian Wells final that is unlikely ever to be forgotten. In a match that pitted the two most in-form players against each other and in a repeat of the Australian Open final, neither player gave an inch for a match that lasted three and a half hours with spectators on the edge of their seat for the majority of the contest.

Both players traded winners back and forth with little room for error, and the slightest break gave one of the combatants an upper hand. It was the Serbian champion who was undefeated in 2020 going up against the reigning Indian Wells champion and neither wanted to break a streak. Djokovic struck the first blow when in the sixth game, finally broke Thiem and then served out the set, 7-5. Up until that point, the Austrian had created four break point opportunities to two, but could not follow through, and when the third one came up for Djokovic, he did not stumble.

Thiem was incensed by the disappointing end to the first set and immediately got on the front foot, breaking the Serb in the second game of the set and holding firm to go out to a 3-0 lead. Djokovic continued to press Thiem upon return, but the Austrian’s court coverage was matching his higher ranked opponent and causing all sorts of problems. With the match ticking past the 90-minute mark midway through the set, it was not until Thiem served an ace on the final point that the players headed to their chairs with the match levelled at a set apiece.

By that stage, two hours and 10 minutes had ticked by, but the longest set of the match was still to come. The pair played at a level of tennis yet to be seen in 2020 and neither could muster up a break as both players were serving incredibly well. It was no surprise for Djokovic, but Thiem the dominant receiver could not break through, though he could hold his own despite the Serb’s ability upon return. It fittingly went all the way to a tiebreaker and at 6-6, Thiem won with a short cross-court winner that wrong-footed Djokovic, and then risked it all with a serve volley, but slotted it perfectly on a tight angle for the crowd to erupt.

Thiem had won his second Indian Wells title, defending his crown from last year and handing the world number one his first loss in 2020. It moved him up to third in the world, while Djokovic moved further in front in the pole position.

FINAL RESULT:

[4] Dominic Thiem (AUT) defeated [1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) 5-7 6-3 7-6