Dominic Thiem and Lucas Pouille reach the final in Metz.

Thiem

Dominic was coming from a pretty lousy American summer to have found his tennis again in Metz. The best performance of the tournament for the Austrian was in the semifinal against home favorite Gilles Simon. The Frenchman had the opportunity to serve out the match when he was leading 6-4 5-4, but he was broken by an immense down the line forehand.  Eventually, Thiem won the second set and the match) 4-6 7-5 6-3).

The Austrian commented “It’s a dream to play in six finals. I never expected it. It’s always something really special.” 

Pouille

Lucas confirms that he is the next big thing for his nation. The Frenchman hasn’t won a single title in his career, but this year he got to the final in Bucharest (d. by Verdasco), he reached the semifinal in Rome (d. by Murray), and he got to the quarters in Wimbledon and at the recent US Open.

Lucas defeated Goffin 7-6 (6) 6-1 in the Metz semifinal. After squandering a 3-0 lead, the Frenchman had to save a set point in the first-set tiebreak to cruise in the second set and win the match in 81 minutes.

After the match, Lucas commented “I had chances to go up two breaks and maybe win the first set 6-1 or 6-2, but he found a way to come back. I held strong in the tie-break, then started to really play freely in the second set. I’m feeling good physically on the court after my US Open run. Quicker than before.” 

The final

The head to head between Thiem and Pouille is 1-0 for the Frenchman that has defeated Dominic 6-4 6-4 in Montecarlo 1 year ago. This should be a different story.

THE DRAW