US Open 2020 men’s singles final, as it happened: Thiem beats Zverev in thriller to win first Major

Here are highlights of the US Open 2020 men’s singles final between Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev.

Read Scroll.in’s coverage of the 2020 US Open here.

6:16 am:

That’ll be all from our coverage! Dominic Thiem wins his first Grand Slam title by defeating Alexander Zverev 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(8-6). He becomes the first player in the Open Era to win the US Open men’s singles title after being two-sets-to-love down in the final. We have a first-time Major winner after what was a nail-biting finish.

6:04 am:

Thiem: “I’d like to congratulate Alexander. Can’t believe how far we’ve come. I wish I could share this trophy with you because we’re both winners tonight. I’m sure you’ll win this one day and make your parents proud. Thanks to my team and the USTA, all the players felt super safe here. Hopefully my family made it through the match, I’m sure it must’ve been hard for them. Can’t wait to see them.”

5:59 am:

Zverev: “Firstly, congratulations to Dominic on the first of many Grand Slam titles. Wish you had missed some more shots. Thanks to my team for sticking by me. Hopefully one day we will lift that winner’s trophy. Thanks to the USTA, they couldn’t have done a better job. Want to thank my parents (in tears), they’ve always been with me. I miss them. This is tough man. I’m sure they’re (parents) still proud. Hopefully one day I can win this.”

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(8-6) Zverev

WHAT. A. FINISH! This match was hardly of the highest quality for the most part but the final set was simply brilliant. Four hours and two minutes the match lasted. AND DOMINIC THIEM WINS HIS FIRST GRAND SLAM TITLE. We have a first-time Major winner after the 2014 US Open. Alexander Zverev with his head buried in his hand. He was so, so, so close to winning his first Major in his first final. What a battle by these two warriors! And they end it with a warm embrace at the net.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) Zverev

DOMINIC THIEM WINS THE 2020 US OPEN!

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-6 Zverev

Zverev saves consecutive championship points! Both thanks to unforced errors from Thiem. It’s 6-6 in the tie-break. This is edge-of-the-seat stuff. COULD GO EITHER WAY!

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-6 Zverev

Zverev saves one championship point. He now has two serves and is trailing 5-6.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-6 Zverev

Thiem has moved ahead in the tie-break and has two serves to come with a 5-3 lead.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-6 Zverev

Zverev with his 14th double fault of the match and we’re back on serve in this tie-break at 3-2 in favour of the German.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-6 Zverev

Zverev lead 2-0 in the tie-break but Thiem makes it 2-1 with a deft volley at the net.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-6 Zverev

ZVEREV BREAKS BACK! We are going to a final set tie-break to decide the winner of this final. Thiem is struggling with his thigh. Zverev has the momentum.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-5 Zverev

THIEM BREAKS! What an absolutely sensational turnaround from the second seed. He has simply refused to go away tonight. He was two sets and a break down and will now serve for the match. But before that, he has called for the trainer and is getting treated on his thigh.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 5-5 Zverev

Simply sensational shot-making from Thiem! Wow! From 30-all, the second seed delivers two of the best forehand winners of the tournament to draw level.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-5 Zverev

THIEM BREAKS BACK! Zverev was serving for the title but couldn’t close it out. This is brilliant from Thiem. Nerves of steel from him and just plain nerves from Zverev. We’re back on serve in this deciding set.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-5 Zverev

ALEXANDER ZVEREV BREAKS! Brilliant, clutch tennis from the fifth seed. He will now serve for the match. Thiem looks tired all of a sudden. Can he bounce back yet again?

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-4 Zverev

Another loud “c’mon” from Zverev as he pulls ahead again in this deciding set. Serving first in the set is a massive advantage for him. Both men fighting hard at the moment. The intensity is increasing with each passing game.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 3-3 Zverev

Thiem survives! Zverev had a look in that game at 0-30 but Thiem bounced back with a superb forehand winner down the line before sealing it with some big serves. The tension inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium is palpable even without the gasps of a crowd. Which of these two men will win his first Grand Slam title?

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 2-3 Zverev

Zverev gets his nose ahead again. Better service game from him. Thiem’s strategy of standing far behind for 80mph second serves just isn’t working.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 2-2 Zverev

Thiem holds his serve too. This set is following the same pattern as the last two sets. Neither player taking risks and opting for percentage-play instead. We could be in for edge-of-the-seat moments soon.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-2 Zverev

Zverev holds his serve! Yelled to pump himself up after almost every point in that game. This final is looking a lot more interesting than it was ten minutes ago. Could go either way.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-1 Zverev

ZVEREV BREAKS RIGHT BACK! And a loud “c’mon, let’s go” from him. Much better body language and play from the fifth seed. This match is hanging by a thread as it crosses the three-hour mark.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 1-0 Zverev

THIEM BREAKS! Oh boy, here we go! Dominic Thiem has got the advantage early on in the decider and he has got his nose ahead after a long, long time in this match. Nothing going Alexander Zverev’s way at the moment. And he has himself to blame for the most part.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 Zverev

THIEM WINS THE FOURTH SET! We’re into a final set shootout at the Arthur Ashe Stadium! Thiem hasn’t played remarkably well to draw level but what he has done is be consistent. Zverev on the other hand has lost steam gradually in this match. He had all the momentum but looks down in the dumps at the moment. It might come down to who wants it more. Who wants that first Grand Slam title more.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 5-3 Zverev

THIEM BREAKS! Zverev’s shoulders have dropped. That was a poor game from him. His serve is hurting him big-time. But credit to Thiem, he kept applying the pressure and got rewarded. He’ll serve for the set now to draw level and take it to a decider.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 4-3 Zverev

Thiem pulls ahead again with a relatively comfortable service game. We’re heading into the business end of the set, will Zverev’s serve hold up?

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 3-3 Zverev

Zverev survives! Thiem had consecutive break points in that game but couldn’t convert. Zverev’s first serve percentage is dipping and his second serves are around the 80 mph mark. But the point of the match came in that game. Thiem with a ridiculous stretch volley to stay in the point before sealing it with a forehand winner down the line. More of that please!

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 3-2 Zverev

Thiem holds his serve to love to take a 3-2 lead in the fourth set. Zverev is playing catch-up in this set too and it could hurt him again. He got nervous while serving at the end of the third set. Thiem would want to apply the pressure again now.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 2-2 Zverev

Now Zverev holds without much fuss. Neither player able to make inroads while returning so far in the set.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 2-1 Zverev

Another comfortable hold for Thiem. Both players are playing at a similar level at the moment (which isn’t very high). Just a matter of who blinks first. Thiem will believe he can complete the turnaround if he keeps chipping away.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 1-1 Zverev

Zverev holds his serve with his 12th ace of the match. Won another point by coming to the net and finishing off the volley. He used this play effectively in the first set but not so much since then.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 Zverev

Thiem starts the fourth set with a love hold. The momentum is with him now. Both players are striking the ball cleanly but Zverev is spraying more errors.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 6-4 Zverev

DOMINIC THIEM WINS THE THIRD SET! Where did that come from?! Alexander Zverev almost gifted it away in the end. A casual unforced error by him to concede the set. But credit to Thiem, he has hustled and done well to bounce back after being a break down at the start of the set.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 5-4 Zverev

Dominic Thiem holds his serve, but just about! Zverev got to deuce a couple of times but Thiem responded with some heavy hitting to survive. The second seed is a game away from taking the third set.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 4-4 Zverev

Zverev hangs on. It got to deuce but Thiem hit his 33rd unforced error of the match to concede the game. We’re heading into the business end of the set. Zverev is tantalisingly close to a first Grand Slam title.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 4-3 Zverev

Powerful hitting from Thiem as he takes a 4-3 lead in the third set. Zverev got the score to 0-30 and deuce in that game but Thiem attacked with his forehands to close it out. We’re on serve.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 3-3 Zverev

Zverev gets a relatively comfortable hold. He’s still hitting the ball confidently and would want to break again soon.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 3-2 Zverev

Well, well. Thiem holds his serve to love. Zverev seems to have lost a bit of steam at the moment. He’d want to bounce back quickly, though. He knows as well as anyone that Thiem is more than capable of turning this around. Interesting passage of play this.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 2-2 Zverev

THIEM BREAKS BACK! There’s still life in this match! The Austrian second seed converts his fourth break point to draw level in the set. He dominated the rallies in that game. Lots of power and precision in there. Will the momentum swing his way now?

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 1-2 Zverev

ZVEREV BREAKS! Thiem saved the first two break points but missed a routine drive volley at the net on deuce. He simply hasn’t found his groove so far. Zverev, though, is playing at a very high level. The depth he is getting with his groundstrokes is outstanding. This could all be over in a hurry.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 1-1 Zverev

Zverev completes a love-hold with his seventh ace of the match. Impressive from the German. He looked nervy for a bit in the second set but seems to have regrouped.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6, 1-0 Zverev

Thiem starts the third set with a hold. Looked confident in that game and attacked the net a few times. He would want to strike soon on Zverev’s serve.

Thiem 2-6, 4-6 Zverev

ALEXANDER ZVEREV WINS THE SECOND SET! The German fifth seed converts his fifth set point. He is now one set away from his first Grand Slam title. He has been magnificent so far, playing a complete game and being relentless. For Thiem, there’s not much room for error now. He will take confidence from the break he got, and that ridiculous winner, but there’s potential for his game to go several notches higher. Can Zverev get an early break in the set for a third time? Thiem to serve.

Thiem 2-6, 4-5 Zverev

And now Thiem holds to love! The first time he has done that in this match. And he closes out the game with perhaps the shot of the match so far. Zverev’s volley was dipping on him but he somehow, from the centre of the baseline, got enough of his racquet on the ball and also created an angle for a winner. Outrageous! But Zverev will now have a second chance to close out this set.

Thiem 2-6, 3-5 Zverev

Thiem breaks! The second seed gets one break back. Zverev was so, so nervous in that game. He has squandered four set points so far. Could come back to haunt him. Will this ignite a turnaround for Thiem?

Thiem 2-6, 2-5 Zverev

Thiem holding on by a thread! Went to deuce thrice in that game and Zverev had three set points but Thiem somehow closed it out. Zverev will now serve for a two-sets-to-love lead. A forehand and backhand winner down-the-line each from him in the game. He’s close to his peak at the moment.

Thiem 2-6, 1-5 Zverev

Zverev consolidates the break by holding to 15. He’s just a game away from a two-sets-to-love lead. The fifth seed has been simply outstanding so far.

Thiem 2-6, 1-4 Zverev

ZVEREV BREAKS AGAIN! He plays consistent tennis but Thiem is just not there! The second seed has hit five doubles faults, 17 unforced errors, and his first serve is at 51%. This set is all but over.

Thiem 2-6, 1-3 Zverev

Thiem misses out on a big opportunity. Zverev was down 0-30 on his serve but managed to win three points in a row before sealing the game after a couple of deuce. Two doubles faults from Zverev in that game. He missed a couple of volleys too but Thiem still couldn’t break.

Thiem 2-6, 1-2 Zverev

Zverev breaks! He is on fire at the moment! A stunning forehand down-the-line winner from him at 103 mph. His seventh FH winner so far. Thiem is just not finding his range. He will have to change something. Quickly. He’s still returning from way back and is well behind the baseline in rallies as well.

Thiem 2-6, 1-1 Zverev

Zverev holds to love! The fifth seed is not taking his foot off the gas. Gets his fifth ace of the match.

Thiem 2-6, 1-0 Zverev

Thiem survives an early break in the second set! Was down a break but somehow managed to close it out. He is struggling to find rhythm, though. Zverev would want to drive home the advantage and strike again.

First set, Thiem 2-6 Zverev

Zverev wins the first set with his fourth ace of the match! No disrespect to the German but this is not the scoreline many would’ve predicted at the start. Zverev has been quite brilliant so far. His first serve is 74% and he’s attacking by rushing to the net smartly. Thiem will have to forget this set happened. There are no indications if the heel injury he sustained in the semi-final is troubling him. But he’ll have to break the shackles soon.

First set, Thiem 2-5 Zverev

ZVEREV BREAKS AGAIN! Dominic Thiem is just not feeling it at the moment. Two double faults by him in that game. Credit to Zverev for not giving an inch but this is not the Thiem we’ve seen so far in the tournament. The first set is turning out to be like the first set in the women’s final last night. One way traffic. Zverev will serve for the opener now.

First set, Thiem 2-4 Zverev

Another quick hold for Zverev. His first serve percentage is a staggering 85 at the moment. He is moving to the net with purpose as well. Time running out for Thiem to save this set.

First set, Thiem 2-3 Zverev

Much better from Thiem. Wins a lengthy exchange before hitting winners to either side of Zverev. He was down 0-30 but managed to win the game despite Zverev getting to deuce. Both players are striking the ball well. We could have plenty of brutal rallies tonight.

First set, Thiem 1-3 Zverev

It is all Alexander Zverev at the moment! He consolidates the break with an easy hold. Well, he is making it look easy right now. Big first serves, big second serves (as he has been doing consistently in the tournament), and confidence overall from Zverev.

First set, Thiem 1-2 Zverev

Zverev gets the first break of the match! Nervy game from Thiem. Zverev starts off with a confident volley, before Thiem hits a double fault and a shank to go down 15-40. Zverev then closes out the game by approaching the net again and drawing an error. The fifth seed said before the match that he needed to start strong and he has done just that.

First set, Thiem 1-1 Zverev

Zverev’s forehand (the weaker of his two sides) looking good in the early exchanges as he hits another winner. A couple of 135 mph serves as well in that game as the German holds without any fuss.

First set, Thiem 1-0 Zverev

Zverev gets a confidence-boosting inside-in forehand winner but Thiem gets a comfortable hold to start proceedings on Ashe.

1:46 am:

The players are ready. Dominic Thiem to serve. Let’s go!

1:42 am:

It’s second seed Thiem up against fifth seed Zverev. Both players have long been seen as the future of men’s tennis and today, one of them is going to win his first Grand Slam title. Thiem, at 27, is in his fourth Major final, while 23-year-old Zverev is playing his first.

1:40 am:

Thiem in his pre-match interview: “Hope we can play a great match. I will give it my everything. I’m expecting an open match, like we had at the Australian Open earlier this year. May the better player win.”

1:38 am:

Zverev in his pre-match interview: “This is going to be the toughest match of the tournament for me. I’m going to have to start faster than I have in the earlier rounds. Don’t think Dominic is going to give me time. Excited and looking forward to play.”

1:35 am:

Alexander Zverev’s road to the 2020 US Open men’s singles final:

SF: Pablo Carreno Busta 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
QF: Borna Coric 1-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-3
R4: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-2, 6-2, 6-1
R3: Adrian Mannarino 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
R2: Brandon Nakashima 7-5, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2
R1: Kevin Anderson 7-6, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5

1:30 am:

Dominic Thiem’s road to the 2020 US Open men’s singles final:

SF: Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 7-6, 7-6
QF: Alex de Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4
R4: Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6, 6-1, 6-1
R3: Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
R2: Sumit Nagal 6-3, 6-3, 6-2
R1: Jaume Munar 7-6, 6-3 (ret)

1:28 am: Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev are all set to step into the Arthur Ashe Stadium in search of their first Grand Slam title.

The two players have faced each other 9 times in their careers, with Thiem leading 7-2. More importantly, Thiem has won their last three meetings:

Australian Open (2020): 3-6, 6-4 7-6(3), 7-6(4)
ATP Finals (2019): 7-5, 6-3
French Open (2018): 6-4, 6-2, 6-1

1:15 am: Hello everyone and welcome to the live blog of the US Open 2020 men’s singles final live blog. This is Aditya Chaturvedi and I will be joined by Zenia D’Cunha as we bring you updates from the second Major final of 2020. It promises to be a historic one, irrespective of how it ends.

Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev are both looking to bag a breakthrough first Grand Slam title when they face off behind closed doors in the US Open final on Sunday.

It will be the 27-year-old Thiem’s fourth major tennis final and his second in a row after reaching the last-two in Australia this year, while Zverev, 23, is playing his first.

Thiem joked after his straight-sets semi-final victory over Daniil Medvedev that if he loses, he might have to contact a multiple-Slam winner who lost four finals before winning his first, and then going on to win two more.

“If I win, I have my first. If not, I probably have to call Andy Murray (about) how it is with zero,” the Austrian said ahead of the showdown inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Sunday’s showpiece brings to a close a US Open unlike any other – the coronavirus pandemic meant no fans have been allowed into Flushing Meadows and players have been tested for COVID-19 regularly.

This year’s field at the Billie Jean King US National Tennis Center in New York was also depleted by the absence of Swiss legend Roger Federer and defending champion Rafael Nadal.

The tournament was also blown wide open by the disqualification of world number one and heavy favorite Novak Djokovic in the last 16 for hitting a line judge with the ball.

It means the 2020 US Open will crown a first-time Grand Slam champion for the first time since Croatian Marin Cilic won at Flushing Meadows in 2014.

It also means a Grand Slam champion other than Djokovic, Nadal or Federer for the first time since Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka won the third of his majors at the 2016 US Open.

For Thiem, also a runner-up at the French Open in 2018 and 2019, it is a golden opportunity to clinch that elusive first Slam title.

“It’s the biggest goal and also the biggest dream I have in my tennis career since a few years,” said Thiem, who lost in five sets to Djokovic in Melbourne this year.

“It was really tough to digest that loss in Australia as I was super close back then. I’m happy that I gave myself a pretty short time after that (for) another chance.”

‘Huge pressure’

Thiem is 7-2 against Zverev, with whom he says he has a “a great friendship and a great rivalry,” including a four-set win in the semi-finals during that run to the Melbourne finals.

Thiem admits there is “huge pressure,” with both he and Zverev “working very hard since a long time” to enter the pantheon of Slam champions.

“I expect a very tough, very open match,” said the world number three.

“His first serve is one of, if not, the best out there right now. It’s so fast, so precise. That will be a key point. Try to put many balls back in play.”

Zverev is the first German man to reach the final of a tennis major since Rainer Schuttler at the 2003 Australian Open.

He is also bidding to become the first German to win the US Open since Boris Becker in 1989.

Zverev has looked less convincing than Thiem throughout his run to the final, at times struggling with second serves and groundstroke forehands.

But he will be brimming with confidence after coming from two sets down for the first time in his career to beat Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and reach the final.

He also has, arguably, less to lose.

“I have a chance. I’m looking forward to it. I’m just excited about it,” said Zverev, the world number seven.