London:  London`s last edition of the ATP Finals opened on Sunday with a repeat of last year`s final but this time Dominic Thiem prevailed against Greek defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.


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Just as in their showdown 12 months ago, the quality was high but the atmosphere was distinctly flat inside an empty O2 Arena as U.S. Open champion Thiem won 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3.


Rafa Nadal, bidding to claim the only major title to elude him, starts his challenge later against Russian debutant Andrey Rublev in the day`s other London Group match.


"It was a tough match, both of us served well and conditions were fast," Austrian Thiem, playing at the elite year-ender for the fifth time in succession, said on court.


"I know how important it is to have a good start in the first match here."


The ATP Finals, in its 50th edition, is being staged in London`s O2 Arena for the 12th and last time before it moves to Turin and sadly plans for a vibrant farewell party in front of the usual sell-out crowds has been scuppered by the COVID-19 pandemic.


The cavernous arena, which holds close to 20,000 people in tournament set-up, was dark and empty as the players walked on court to the usual fanfare and music.


And they provided a high-quality match. There was nothing between them in the first set but Tsitsipas, who saved the only break points on offer, looked set to take the opener when he led 4-1 in the tiebreak, only for Thiem to hit back.


On set point down Tsitsipas had the court at his mercy with an easy put-away but Thiem guessed right to get back into the point with a lob and then forced an error.


Tsitsipas took the second set with an early break but Thiem broke early in the decider and that proved sufficient.