The last man to qualify for this year's event, Thiem is the youngest player at the finals and the first Austrian to take part in the singles since former world No.1 Thomas Muster in 1997. He may have lost out to Djokovic on Sunday, but boasted a 90.9% win percentage in deciding sets going into the tournament -- the highest proportion of any player on the tour to have started 25 matches or more.
The last man to qualify for this year's event, Thiem is the youngest player at the finals and the first Austrian to take part in the singles since former world No.1 Thomas Muster in 1997. He may have lost out to Djokovic on Sunday, but boasted a 90.9% win percentage in deciding sets going into the tournament -- the highest proportion of any player on the tour to have started 25 matches or more.
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For so long looked upon as an entertainer rather than a genuine threat, Monfils is also making his ATP World Tour Finals debut this season, having produced a career-best season in his 30th year. His defeat to Raonic on Sunday meant both men were looking for a debut win. <br /><br />
For so long looked upon as an entertainer rather than a genuine threat, Monfils is also making his ATP World Tour Finals debut this season, having produced a career-best season in his 30th year. His defeat to Raonic on Sunday meant both men were looking for a debut win.

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But it was the young maestro who started the better, taking the single break point opportunity afforded to him and easily sealing the first set 6-3. Monfils hit 11 unforced errors in the opener, and surely had to tighten up that eyecatching forehand to have any chance of mounting a comeback.
But it was the young maestro who started the better, taking the single break point opportunity afforded to him and easily sealing the first set 6-3. Monfils hit 11 unforced errors in the opener, and surely had to tighten up that eyecatching forehand to have any chance of mounting a comeback.
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Thankfully, he did -- hitting four times as many winners as unforced errors in the second set. The Frenchman looked an entirely different force and required just 25 minutes to beat Thiem 6-1.
Thankfully, he did -- hitting four times as many winners as unforced errors in the second set. The Frenchman looked an entirely different force and required just 25 minutes to beat Thiem 6-1.
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Monfils should have had the momentum heading into the third and final set, with the Frenchman qualifying for the tournament with a higher break point conversion percentage than any of the top eight players this year. However, increasingly struggling with injury, it wasn't to be his day. Hitting three double faults in his final service game, Monfils was broken and Thiem won the spoils.
Monfils should have had the momentum heading into the third and final set, with the Frenchman qualifying for the tournament with a higher break point conversion percentage than any of the top eight players this year. However, increasingly struggling with injury, it wasn't to be his day. Hitting three double faults in his final service game, Monfils was broken and Thiem won the spoils.
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