DOMINIC Thiem and Daniil Medvedev have set up a mouth-watering ATP Finals decider with strong victories over superstars of the game this morning. Thiem had a thrilling three-set victory over world number one Novak Djokovic, while Medvedev came from a set down to beat 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

Both men have beaten Nadal and Djokovic over the past week.

Dominic Thiem (AUT) defeated Novak Djokovic (SRB) 7-5 6-7 7-6

Thiem is now the first player in four years to make back-to-back finals at the ATP Finals. He thought that he had the match won in the second set, but he could not convert any of his four match points and Djokovic sent the match to a third. The Austrian then came back from 0-4 down in the third set tie-break to claim a remarkable victory. It marks the 300th singles win of his career.

Thiem is now the second player ever (with Andy Murray) to have at least five wins against all members of the ‘big three’, as he takes his record against Djokovic to 5-7 (3-2 since the start of 2019). After the match, he reflected on the importance of his victory.

“It was for sure a mental battle, I got so tight in the second-set tie-break because to play these legends is always going to be something special,” Thiem said. “Playing for the final here at the Nitto ATP Finals is also something very special and I thought that after my first big title in New York, maybe I’m going to be a little bit more calm, but that was a mistake. I was just as tight and as nervous as before. It was so much on the edge that match, like every single match here. The best players in the world are facing off. So I’m just incredibly happy to be through and just [will] try to get ready for tomorrow.”

Amazingly, Thiem’s only title this year was the biggest one of his career, the 2020 US Open. He could have easily won two Grand Slams in 2020, as he was very unlucky against Djokovic in the Australian Open final. The 27-year-old is clearly one of the top three players in the world right now and deserves significant praise for the way he has elevated his game during such an unusual year.

Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated Rafael Nadal (ESP) 3-6 7-6 6-3

Medvedev continued his impressive undefeated run at the ATP Finals and became the first player in 72 matches to come from a set down to defeat Nadal. The Russian won 77 per cent of points on first serve and thoroughly deserves his spot in the decider. It was Medvedev’s first career victory against Nadal, and tomorrow he can become the fourth player to win the ATP Finals following a winless debut.

Nadal had a chance to serve for the match in the second set, but Medvedev rallied by being more aggressive from the baseline and the Spaniard made some uncharacteristic errors. Medvedev reflected on how he overcame the 6-3 5-4 deficit after the match.

“It felt like I was doing great shots but there was no link in my game and that was why I was losing,” he said. He was better in the important moments, I couldn’t return in the important moments, I couldn’t make a good shot in the important moments. I decided to change some small things. Just being closer, going for it a little bit more. I felt like I had the chances to win before [in] some games, a set maybe, but it didn’t work, so I had to change and it worked really well. I am really happy about it.”

Medvedev has shown great focus and determination since winning his first ATP Masters title of the season in Paris. He is 6-0 against top 10 players since that tournament began and will be hoping to maintain this impressive record tomorrow morning.