THIEM CLAIMS EIGHTH ATP WORLD TOUR CROWN IN RIO

On the Latin American Golden Swing,Dominic Thiem has found a home as he surged on to win the ATP World Tour titleat the Rio Open presented on Sunday by Claro.

In one hour and 34 minutes, the Austrian fought past Pablo CarrenoBusta winning 7-5, 6-4 and going on to take home the trophy at the Jockey Club Brasileiro.

The ATP World Tour crown would be his eight so far, second at the 500 level and third on the Golden Swing He had also previously triumphed in Buenos Aires and Acapulco in 2016. Firing 25 winners, he prevailed over CarrenoBustawith 14 on his forehand wing and seven aces.

In order to extend his FedEx ATP Head2Head edge to 5-1, Thiem also fired on thereby converting four of eight break chances.

Speaking after the match, Thiem said:”I am feeling really great. This is the best feeling you can have, winning a title. It’s all you practise for. I played five very good matches, especially in the semis and final against amazing players.”

With a break for 3-2, CarrenoBusta took the early lead in the match as he worked to extend his strong run of form in Rio. Battling back from a set and a break down while fighting off a match point and with a day removed from a thrilling comeback over teenager Casper Ruud in order to reach the final, Busta was riding a wave of momentum.

However, it was Thiem that entered the final without having to drop a set on the Brazilian clay, thus seamlessly transiting into the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam.

He would be looking to join the likes of Rafael Nadal (2014) and David Ferrer (2015) in Rio de Janeiro as Spanish champions.