Dominic Thiem denied Roger Federer a record sixth Indian Wells title, beating the Swiss great 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 on Sunday to claim his first ATP Masters 1000 crown.
Thiem will rise to fourth in the world rankings on Monday after winning his first event since September 2018.
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Federer, who lost last year’s final in Indian Wells to Juan Martin del Potro, made a confident start.
Thiem earned the crucial break in the 11th game of the final set, connecting on two sharply angled passing winners to give himself a break point which he converted with a stinging forehand winner.
He sealed the match after two hours and two minutes when Federer’s backhand found the net and will now return to a career-high ranking of fourth in the world.
“It’s been a great week for me, even though it didn’t work out,” Federer said. “Congratulations to Dominic — wonderful week and great play at the end. You deserved it.”