The in-form Dominic Thiem secured his fifth ATP World Tour title and second of the year with a hard-fought win over Bernard Tomic at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.
The Austrian
, winner of the Argentina Open earlier in February, edged to a 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-3 in the Acapulco decider on Saturday.
It marked Thiem's fifth title on the ATP World Tour but first on hard courts, with his previous four coming on clay.
The 22-year-old improved to an 18-4 win-loss this year, a fine run of form that continued with a strong showing in the final against Tomic as he hit 45 winners.
Tomic was targeting his fourth title and had his chances, but gave up a break lead in the first and third sets.
The Australian had opened up a 4-1 lead to start the encounter, only to drop serve when looking to take out the first set at 5-3.
Thiem held his nerve in the tie-break, but then found himself behind a break again in the second set.
This time, after a lengthy 10th game, Tomic capitalised to level the match.
He carried that momentum into the deciding set to break in the opening game before Thiem rolled through four straight games for a 4-1 lead.
Tomic at least made Thiem serve out the match, and the latter did so to love and completed it with his 22nd ace.
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