STAN WAWRINKA AND DOMINIC THIEM SOAR UP THE 2016 ATP TENNIS RACE STANDINGS WITH SECOND TITLES OF THE SEASON BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 28th February 2016

STAN WAWRINKA AND DOMINIC THIEM SOAR UP THE 2016 ATP TENNIS RACE STANDINGS WITH SECOND TITLES OF THE SEASON BY RICKY DIMON

epa05184120 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland holds the trophy after winning his final match against Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus at Dubai Duty Free Tennis ATP Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 27 February 2016. EPA/ALI HAIDER |

Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem soared into the top four in the 2016 ATP Race to London by capturing respective titles in Dubai and Acapulco on Saturday. It was the second title of the year for each player. Wawrinka had previously lifted the trophy in Chennai, while Thiem’s February swing also featured a win in Buenos Aires.

Wawrinka had never won a single match in two prior appearances at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. More of the same almost continued this week, as he was pushed to 7-5 in the third set by Sergiy Stakhovsky right away in round one. But the fourth-ranked Swiss picked up the pace the rest of the way and capped off his run in thrilling fashion by holding off Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 7-6(13) in the final.

“I think in general it was a good level,” Wawrinka reflected. “It was tough conditions to play here; [the ball is] flying. It’s fast. Until 6-all in the tiebreak, I was always up with (a) mini-break. I think I hit two double-faults and three quick mistakes. Then it started to be all about nerves. You know, 6-6, 7-7, 10-10. You try to stay there; try to play simple, aggressive. It was good to finish it in two sets.”

Thiem also saw his championship match become more interesting than perhaps many expected after he snagged the opening set from under Bernard Tomic’s feet in a tiebreaker. Tomic had served for it but could not seal the deal. Despite the hiccup and ensuing loss of the set, the Australian battled back to force a third and even go up by a break at 1-0.

But Thiem’s Herculean effort in both mentally and physically throughout the month was not going to not going to suddenly evaporate at February’s finish line. The 15th-ranked Austrian righted the ship to prevail 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3.

“It was unbelievable,” Thiem assured. “These three weeks have been amazing. Winning my first 500 title and first hard-court title, it was just perfect. It was how a final should be, between two young and up-and-coming players. I hope we’re going to play many more finals together. Both of us wanted to win so badly and I’m happy I was the one today.”

A photo made available 28 February 2016 of Austrian tennis player Dominic Thiem (R) holding the winner’s trophy while posing with runner-up, Australian player Bernard Tomic (L), after the final match of the Mexican Open tennis tournament in Acapulco, Mexico, 27 February 2016. Thiem won the match in 7-6(6), 4-6, 6-3. EPA/ALEX CRUZ

“It’s not easy; I’d love to win,” Tomic said. “It could have been huge if I won. I had my chances. That’s the biggest disappointment–having the chance to win. I’m frustrated with myself. I was leading in the first set and then I lost it and I was up a break in the third and gave away my serve straight away.

“But he was playing very well and he’s an amazing competitor. Every point he’s competing. He was feeling good on court and has been playing well all week. In the final of big tournaments, you have to take your chances in the big moments. I didn’t take it.”

Thiem is up to No. 3 in the 2016 race, while Wawrinka climbed 10 places to fourth.