NICE: Top seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem overcame a late arm injury scare to defeat German teenager Alexander Zverev 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 on Saturday and retain his Nice clay-court title.
Thiem, the world number 15 who stunned Roger Federer at the Rome Masters last week, claimed the sixth title of his career in a timely boost ahead of the French Open which starts in Paris on Sunday.
"It's been an unbelievably great week," said Thiem who now has three titles this year.
"The first time I had to defend a title and I made it. Maybe I played better in the three matches before this, but a final is always special.
"You have so much to win and so much to lose. I played a solid third set and I'm really happy. My arm is a little tired, but I will be ok for Roland Garros on Monday."
Zverev, just 19 and ranked 48 in the world, was playing in his first tour final and was 4-2 up in the first set against his close friend.
But Thiem rallied and was 2-0 ahead in the second set, seemingly poised for a straightforward victory.
However, the highly-rated Zverev won six of the next seven games to force a decider.
Thiem summoned the trainer at the interval to have his right arm massaged and the treatment worked wonders as he claimed 24 of the 29 points in the third set to take victory.
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