UMAG, July 26, 2015
Dominic Thiem is the champion of the 26th Konzum Croatia Open, winning the final against Joao Sousa in Umag 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday evening.
The 21-year-old Austrian, who emerged victorious from the two previous meetings with the Portuguese, was in total control of the match right from the beginning. Thiem gained his first break in the seventh game of the opening set and only lost his own service once in the sixth game of the second set. The youngster was solid from the baseline, winning 89% of his second service points to seal victory in one hour and one minute to claim his second ATP career title, following his maiden win in Nice earlier this season.
Thiem took away € 80,000 in prize money as well as 250 ATP ranking points and has also become the tournament’s first Austrian champion since Thomas Muster, claiming the titles in 1992, 1993 and 1995.
Dominic Thiem played a solid final
Thiem defeated Sousa for the third time on the tour lifting his second ATP trophy
“I feel really happy and relieved as there has been a lot of pressure and tension in myself and winning tournaments always helps,” Thiem was happy afterwards. “I was also a bit lucky this week as Dusan (Lajovic) and Andy (Haider-Maurer), both had to retire in their matches against me. This gave me two victories, which helped me to forget the disappointment at the Davis Cup,” the Austrian stated.
“My performance in the final was very good. I made Joao run and only made a few mistakes. I only felt a bit nervous in the sixth game of the second set, when I wasn’t able to serve the match out but luckily I continued to play very well,” Thiem described his almost perfect match, he showed on centre on Sunday evening. Now, there is a long travel ahead of him.
“I will have a long day tomorrow, driving about eight hours to Gstaad. So there is not much time for having party tonight. My family is here and we will have a nice dinner. I think that’s it,” the Austrian told and will enjoy a bye in the first round at the Swiss Open.
Dominic Thiem final presser
Joao Sousa was not very pleased with his performance. “I am really disappointed with this final today, because I couldn’t play my game. The difference between me and him was mentally and he deserved to win,” the Portuguese said.
The final was watched by world number one Novak Djokovic, who is currently on holiday in Croatia and always considered the tournament as a special place.
“I’m on vacation in Croatia with my family. I wanted to come to Umag because this tournament holds a special place in my heart. I came in the name of all distant memories. I played here for the first time in 2006 and now that I’m here as a spectator in a shirt, I’m starting to get nostalgic. I’m drawn by the tennis, the racket is calling to me. Before I finish my career I’ll definitely come back and play another tournament in Umag”, Djokovic told.
Novak Djokovic attended the final in Umag (Photo: Jurica Galoic/PIXSELL)
Traditional firework in Umag
