Dominic Thiem edged error-prone Roger Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to win the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, denying Federer a record sixth title in the desert while claiming the biggest title of his career.
Thiem trailed 4-3 and 5-4 in the third set before breaking Federer with a forehand winner to go up 6-5. Thiem then served out the two-hour match, which ended with another error from Federer – a forehand dumped into the net.
Federer lost in the final for the second straight year. He was beaten in a third-set tiebreaker by Juan Martin del Potro in 2018. Thiem had lost in his previous two ATP Masters 1000 finals. But the 25-year-old Austrian’s solid serve held up against Federer as it had throughout the tournament. Thiem will rise four places to a career-high world No4 on Monday.
Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu upset Angelique Kerber 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to win the women’s title.