Nitto ATP Finals 2018: Previewing The Two Groups 

Dominic Thiem (seed 6, ranking No 8)

Winning three titles this season, Dominic Thiem is brimming with confidence as he qualifies for the ATP Finals for a third straight time.

Dominic Thiem steps into London for a third consecutive time. But the Austrian has not had an encouraging experience at the O2. He has lost both the past editions at the group stage with a mere 2-6 at the prestigious Finale. He has managed to win only two matches, one against Gael Monfils and the other against Pablo Carreno Busta. But the World No 8 would seriously be looking to go the distance this time.

Thiem has come off a brilliant season this year with a scintillating 53-18 and winning three titles. The Austrian who is called the Prince of clay has proved this year that he can win on surfaces other than the red dirt too. He picked up the St Petersburg title to prove that the hard courts can be tamed too. He has won the titles in Buenos Aires and Lyon, both of which are clay courts.

Dominic has been spectacular all throughout the clay season making the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo and Barcelona and reaching the Finals of the Madrid Masters and Roland Garros. Albeit Thiem’s best was that quarterfinal match against Nadal where he pushed the Spaniard to five sets. Making the semifinals at the Paris Masters, Thiem has no signs of fatigue that is usually the trademark of the Austrian towards the fag end of the season. And this should lend him a lot of confidence as he checks into London.