Kitzbühel (Austria) (AFP)
Austria's Dominic Thiem, 4th overall player, won the ATP Kitzbühel tournament, beating Spaniard Albert Ramos (69), 7-6 (7/0), 6-1, Saturday in the final, to lift his third trophy in 2019 and the 14th of his career.
Winner in Barcelona and the Masters 1000 Indian Wells (beating Roger Federer in the final) this year, Thiem, 25, won for the first time in his career in front of his audience in Kitzbuhel. In 2014, the Austrian was beaten in the final by the Belgian David Goffin.
"It's already one of the most beautiful moments of my career, but also one of the most moving because I have special relationships with Kitzbühel, I was here for the first time when I was six and I also watched the tournament several times, "said Thiem.
The final between the finalist of the last two editions of Roland-Garros, and Ramos, winner at Gstaad a week ago, promised a lot. But it really only existed in the first set, interrupted by rain at 4-5 for the Spaniard. And after saving five break points, the Austrian then went alone before concluding the game in 1:34.
Thiem, who lost in all but two of the first 14 points of the second run to lead 3-0, dictated his law from the baseline before concluding his first match point.
"I got my first invitation here and now I'm the champion, it's amazing because I achieved one of my kid goals," said Thiem.
© 2019 AFP