Russian champions bookended the ATP Finals' 12-year stay in London after world No 4 Daniil Medvedev fought back from a set down to beat Dominic Thiem and clinch the biggest title of his career on Sunday night.
Medvedev, 24, was second best for large periods at the empty O2 Arena but found a way back into the contest and prevailed 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 over the world No 3.
Medvedev, who beat five-time champion Novak Djokovic and world No 2 Rafael Nadal earlier in the week, is the first man to beat all three of the world's top-ranked players at the season finale.
The Russian has now won 10 consecutive matches following his title earlier this month at the Paris Masters and his victory will taste sweet a year after a winless debut in London.
But it was a painful defeat for Thiem, who also lost in the final of the elite eight-man event last year, to Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, the Austrian can be satisfied with a season that included his first Grand Slam title at the US Open.
"What a match," Medvedev said. "One of my best victories, two hours and 42 minutes, three sets against an amazing player.
"Dominic, congratulations already for what you achieved in your career. Your name is already in the history of tennis books.
"It is amazing. You won a Grand Slam this year. You are playing unbelievable. I hope we are going to have many more matches to come on the big occasions like this."
Thiem weathered early pressure from Medvedev and secured the first break of the match in the fifth game, when the Russian served a double fault. He sealed the set in fortunate fashion when his forehand clipped the net and looped over Medvedev's racket.
Medvedev, who came from a set down against Nadal in Saturday's last-four contest, made a solid start to the second set.
But Thiem, who like Medvedev beat both Nadal and Djokovic over the course of the week, held to love in the fourth game, looking comfortable as the Russian sought a way back into the match.
The 27-year-old third seed had chances to earn a potentially decisive break but they slipped by and he yelled in frustration as he squandered his opportunities.
The RISE of Daniil Medvedev 🇷🇺
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 22, 2020
A story which has only just begun...@DaniilMedwed #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/vRxEOA7Fi0
The Austrian took a tumble onto the blue court at the start of the eighth game and found himself break point down but toughed it out, with Medvedev looking stronger as the set wore on.
The second set went to a tie-break. Having recovered from 0-4 to win the deciding tie-break against Djokovic on Saturday, Thiem got a taste of his own medicine as Medvedev turned a 2-0 deficit into a 7-2 victory.
Thiem, 27, appeared to be struggling to cope with the punishing pace in the third set and Medvedev did not allow him the rhythm to get his big groundstrokes flowing.
He finally cracked in the fifth game when the Russian produced a volley at the net to break.
Thiem remained under pressure and had to battle hard to avoid going down another break. But all Medvedev now had to do was keep his nerve. He did so as he served out for victory.
Having won the tournament without a defeat, Medvedev earns the maximum points and prize money, adding 1,500 points to his ranking and $1.564 million to his bank account.
"Of course, I am disappointed, but at the same time I am also proud of the performance of all the week," said Thiem. "Daniil really deserved it. It was an amazing match."
Medvedev is the first Russian to win the ATP Finals since 2009, when Nikolay Davydenko triumphed at the first edition of the season finale held in London. Next year, the tournament moves to Turin in Italy.
