ATP: Lyon: Dominic Thiem in the final against Gilles Simon

Dominic Thiem has reached the final of the ATP tournament in Lyon. With a three-set victory over Serbian Dusan Lajovic, the 24-year-old will face Gilles Simon in the final.

Dominic Thiem and Dusan Lajovic went unexcited in the early stages of the semi-final in Lyon. Both actors served well and from time to time sprinkled in great and worth seeing dropshots.

In the duel of the one-handed back hands the spectators in Lyon got to see great rallies – avoidable mistakes were to be found only few in the game. Thiem played courageously and varied with his first serve to look for the way to the net from time to time. With up to 222 km/h the Lichtenwörther struck and moved on the underground in Lyon outstanding.

At 4-4, Thiem set pinpricks with good returns and pushed Lajovic onto the defensive. With great footwork and playfulness, the “Dominator” develops breakballs and uses them to lead 5:4. With a sensational volley after 36 minutes, Thiem took the first round with 6:4 on his own serve.

It was clear to see that Thiem wanted to test a few things in his game before the upcoming French Open. Thiem coach Günter Bresnik saw a changed position on serve and a lot of variation in the game and seemed to be satisfied with his protégé.

At the beginning of the second round Lajovic caught up again after an unconcentrated phase and kept up with Thiem. Nevertheless, the Serb did not make consistent use of his chances and left some simple point wins behind.

But also Thiem seemed dissatisfied with his yield in the middle of the second set and scolded himself. Lajovic, on the other hand, did better than in the opening set and kept his nerve at 4-4 and took the lead with a smooth service game.

Thiem came under pressure at 5:6 and had to fend off two set points. Lajovic left the first set before Thiem made a double mistake and had to give up the second set 5:7.

Thiem’s frustration with the lost second set did not last long. The favourite for the title at the French Open took an early break and then took a 4-2 lead.

The 24-year-old took the lead over time, beating Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-4, 5-7 and 6-4 in the final.

The old champion won against the Briton Cameron Norrie 6:1 and 7:6 (6).