US Open: Dominic Thiem becomes first player since 1949 to win after ceding opening two sets
- Thiem slowly turns things around against a faltering Zverev and surges to a five-set victory at Flushing Meadows to earn his first grand slam title
When a backhand from Zverev landed wide on the third championship point, a weary Thiem dropped to his back way behind the baseline and covered his face with his hands. When he arose, he was met by Zverev, who walked around the net to clasp hands, then embrace his friend and foe, two sights rarely seen in this era of social distancing.
Thiem then rested his head on the shoulder of the taller Zverev, a 23-year-old from Germany who himself came within two points of what would have been his first major triumph.
“I wish we could have two winners today,” Thiem said. “I think we both deserved it.”
The 27-year-old from Austria is the first man to win the American grand slam tournament after trailing 2-0 in sets in the final since Pancho Gonzalez did it against Ted Schroeder in 1949 at an event then known as the US Championships and held in Forest Hills.