Maiden ATP Tour title for Frenchman Lucas Pouille
Sunday 25 September 2016 18:35, UK
Lucas Pouille clinched his first career title, beating top-seed Dominic Thiem 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 in the final of the Moselle Open.
The third-seeded Frenchman, who reached the quarter-finals of the US Open earlier this month, sealed a well-deserved victory with an ace down the middle.
The delighted 22-year-old said: "I'm really happy to win my first title here. I played well from the beginning.
"Now I can rest and get ready for the China Open next week in Beijing.
"Since beating David Ferrer in Miami, there hasn't really been a moment where my level has dropped,"
It has been a breakthrough year for the world No 18 Pouille who has beaten five top 10-ranked players - including Rafa Nadal at Flushing Meadows.
In the Metz title-decider, Pouille won 83% of points on first serve and saved the only break point he faced in game 11 of the first set.
He came close to clinching the first set in game 10 when he led 5-4 and 40-15 on the Austrian's serve.
However, Thiem battled back and even led 4-0 in the tie-break which Pouille eventually won after reeling off five straight points. The second set was more straightforward thanks to two breaks of serve.
Thiem, the world No 10, said: "It was a very good first set from both of us, not many chances to break.
"I was 4-0 up in the tie-break but Lucas was the better player and deserves his first title."
