NICE, May 21, 2016

Dominic Thiem successfully defended his Open de Nice Cote d’Azur crown, winning Saturday’s final against Alexander Zverev 6-4, 3-6, 6-0.

The top-seed from Austria hit five aces, winning 71% of his first service points. Thiem converted six of his eight break point chances to prevail in one hour and 39 minutes lifting his sixth ATP career title, his third of the season.

“It’s been an unbelievably great week. The first time I had to defend a title and I made it. Maybe I played better in the three matches before this, but a final is always special. You have so much to win and so much to lose. I played a solid third set and I’m really happy. My arm is a little tired, but I will be ok for Roland Garros on Monday,” told Thiem, who improved to 36-10 in 2016, already equaling his career-best 36 match wins from a year ago.

Zverev appeared in first ATP final. The 19-year-old German has become the third different teenager to reach a title match this year, joining Borna Coric (Chennai, Marrakech) and Taylor Fritz (Memphis).

“I spent about 12.5 hours on court this week, so I’m a bit tired. Against a player like Dominic, who is one of the best clay-court players right now, you have to be at your best to beat him. There’s not a lot of chances. It’s really tough to win when you’re not at 100 per cent,” Zverev said.

Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah captured the doubles title, winning 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 against Mate Pavic and Michael Venus in one hour and 26 minutes.

“This tournament has given us great memories. We played really well here. We feel it on court and it will give us confidence for the next weeks,” Cabal was happy afterwards.