An ‘amazing, unbelievably emotional moment’ for Lorenzo Sonego as he stuns Dominic Thiem

ATP Tour
Lorenzo Sonego pleased

They battled for three hours and 24 minutes in the third round of the Italian Open, but eventually only one man was left standing and that man was Lorenzo Sonego as the Italian upset Dominic Thiem.

The late clash at Foro Italico had plenty of drama as fans the match was stopped after the second set to remove fans at Grand Stand Arena as the local curfew had kicked in.

But Sonego held his nerve as he stunned the reigning US Open champion 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5) to set up a clash against Andrey Rublev.

A single break in game seven was enough for the Italian to win the opening set while the second set went according to serve before Thiem edged the tie-breaker.

Fans were then asked to leave the stadium due to the curfew, but Sonego soon found himself 2-0 up after a break before things went pearshaped as Thiem raced into a 4-2 lead after a double break.

After saving a match point in game nine, the world No 33 was back on level terms in the next game with a break and then took the tie-breaker.

“It’s amazing, an unbelievably emotional moment for me because I’m in Rome, in my Italy with fans for two sets,” he said. “I’m so happy for this victory, for this match. Thiem is with Nadal the best player on clay.”

He added: “It’s not easy to play two sets with fans and one more set with no fans,” Sonego said. “But I had my team and they supported me always. I’m happy.”

Seventh seed Rublev beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 6-4.

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Dominic Thiem Lorenzo Sonego

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