Thiem wins 1st career title by beating Mayer in Nice final
NICE, France (AP) Dominic Thiem held his nerves to win his first ATP tour title on Saturday as he completed a tight 6-7 (8), 7-5, 7-6 (2) victory over fourth-seeded Leonardo Mayer in the final of the Open de Nice.
The 21-year-old Thiem, who defeated second-seeded John Isner in the semifinals, hit seven aces and fended off all six break points to come out on top of a nearly-three hour match at the French Open warmup tournament.
''The first title, I will remember it forever, so I will also remember forever Nice,'' said the 42nd-ranked Thiem.
It was Thiem's second tour final after losing to David Goffin last year in Kitzbuhel.
''The match today was a really, really good level,'' he added. ''Leonardo played outstanding and I was fighting until the end. I think it was one of the best matches I've ever played.''
The Austrian became the eighth player born in the 1990s to win a title, joining the likes of Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov.
The French Open starts on Sunday at Roland Garros.
