Acapulco: Stephens, Thiem claim silverware

Published by Tennismash

Sloane Stephens celebrates her victory over Dominika Cibulkova in the final of the WTA event in Acapulco; Getty Images

Sloane Stephens and Dominic Thiem have won the WTA and ATP titles in Acapulco on Saturday after two thrilling finals.

Stephens, seeded No.2, overcame the dangerous unseeded Slovak Dominika Cibulkova 6-4 4-6 7-6(5) before Thiem pipped fellow young gun Bernard Tomic 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3.

The American Stephens, who looked set for an early exit when she was thrashed in the opening set of her first-round match against qualifier Louisa Chirico, adds the Acapulco title to her Auckland crown from January.

She has won three titles in the last seven months, winning her first WTA tournament at Washington DC in July 2015.

Thiem faced similarly dire circumstances; only his came in the final.

Tomic led 5-2 in the first set, held a 5-3 lead in the ensuing tiebreak, and scored an early break in the final set, but went down to the fourth seed 7-6(6) 4-6 6-3.

Said Thiem: “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.”

Thiem has enjoyed a stellar February, building a 13-1 record after winning the title two weeks ago in Buenos Aires and reaching the semifinals of last week’s Rio Open.

“These three weeks have been amazing. Winning my first 500 title and first hardcourt title, it was just perfect,” he said.

Thiem will rise to No.14 in the world after the biggest victory of his career; Tomic was also gunning for his biggest title, having previously won three ATP titles at 250 level.

Acapulco is an ATP 500 event held on hard courts.

“It could have been huge if I won, but I had a chance,” Tomic said.

“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.”

Dominic Thiem poses with his trophy after defeating Bernard Tomic in the final of the ATP event in Acapulco; Getty Images

Dominic Thiem poses with his trophy after defeating Bernard Tomic in the final of the ATP event in Acapulco; Getty Images

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