By Richard Pagliaro

Dominic Thiem opened the ATP Finals with a win—and offered his view on the field's favorites.

US Open champion Thiem defeated defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3 in today's ATP Finals rematch of the 2019 championship match.

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The third-seeded Austrian cites the usual suspects—world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and second-ranked Rafael Nadal—as the favorites to raise the title trophy next Sunday at London's O2 Arena.



Though Nadal has yet to win the prestigious season-ending event, Thiem says the overall achievements of the world's top two makes them the slight favorites with other six players in the eight-man field on equal ground.

"I think that especially this year all eight players are in great form and are pretty much on a hot streak, as well," Thiem said. "I think besides Rafa and Novak, because of all they have achieved and what they are, I think they are a little bit above the other six. But in general, I guess that every single of the eight players can win every match here."

The 2019 finalist said he views each round-robin match as a toss-up.

"So I see myself just as everybody else, and every match is pretty much 50/50," Thiem said. "And the one who has a better day and a little bit more lucky these certain days is going to win the matches. I think, well, the one who has the best week is going to end up winning the tournament."

Playing for his record-tying sixth ATP Finals crown, Djokovic is listed as a 6/4 favorite to take the title with both Nadal and Daniil Medvedev listed at 11/2 by Oddschecker.

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve