Top 5 Photos 9/13: Thiem claims first Grand Slam title

The US Open final started off incredibly routinely for Alexander Zverev as he ran through the first two sets against Dominic Thiem. As a first-time Grand Slam finalist, Zverev was the underdog but it didn't look that way at the start. After four hours of nail-biting back and forth, a new Grand Slam champion was crowned underneath the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, and somehow it was Thiem.

These are the Top 5 photos from the US Open men's singles final.

1

US Open Final Unlike Any Other

A Grand Slam final deserves a lively, loud atmosphere, but the setting on Sunday was far from normal. With no fans permitted on the grounds the USTA did allow staff to watch the last match. Still, applause was scattered in a mostly empty arena that is meant to hold 25,000 spectators.

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2

Zverev's A+ First Set

Both players have the game to be a Grand Slam champion, but the weight of the moment played a paramount part in who would actually hold up the trophy. Thiem had more experience as this marked his fourth major final, but Zverev came out hungrier.

Showing great composure and execution, Zverev captured the early break and took the opening set 6-2.

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3

Zverev Rolls

Thiem came into the US Open final holding a 7-2 winning record against Zverev and defeated the world No. 7 at this year's Australian Open. Although the Austrian raised his level slightly in the second set it was too little, too late. Thiem would continue to fire balls long and in the net, struggling to find his rhythm to lose the second, 6-4.

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4

Thiem Gets Physical

Perhaps coming up short in his three previous major finals was running through Thiem's mind in the third set. He managed to stick in long rallies without going for too much, used his backhand slice heavily and improved his first-serve percentage. Although, shaky in moments and far from settled in, he grabbed the third set, 6-4.

Thiem would find his consistency and dig deep to not only stay in the match but also find himself in a fifth set. It would be grueling, as the long fortnight slowly caught up with him physically. The 27-year-old's legs would begin to cramp deep in the last set just as the finish line loomed.

USTA

5

A Historic Comeback

After trading late breaks of serve, a tiebreak was a fitting end to this saga. After squandering an early lead, Zverev would send a backhand wide on Thiem's third match point to give his friend his first major. The world No. 3 is the first person in the Open era to come back from two sets down to win the US Open. Just after four hours, Thiem held the trophy aloft with a 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6) final score.

AP Photos