Russian Daniil Medvedev claimed the biggest title of his career as he foutght back from a set down to defeat Dominic Thiem in an absorbing climax to the ATP Finals.

Austrian Thiem looked on course to add the ATP’s prestigious season-ender to his recent US Open title, but 24-year-old Medvedev turned the tide in superb fashion to prevail 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.

Medvedev went into the final having not lost a match all week while his win over world No.3 Thiem means he became the first player in the 50-year history of the tournament to beat the world’s three leading players at the same event.

Thiem, who lost last year’s ATP final to Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, clinched the first set by a single break after he survived two early break points from Medvedev’s determined rallying.

Medvedev fought back from 2-0 behind in the second set tie-break to level the scoreboard and collected a decisive break in the third en route to the trophy.

“What a match. One of my best victories,” Medvedev said.

“Against an amazing player, Dominic. Congrats already for what you achieved in your career. Your name is already in the history of tennis.

“You won a grand slam this year, you’re playing unbelievable.

“I hope we’re going to have many more matches to come on the big occasions like this.”

The final was a farewell to the tournament for London’s O2 Arena which has hosted it for 12 years – the first edition in 2009 was won by Russian Nikolay Davydenko.

Next year’s season-ending tournament that features the world’s best eight players will be held in Turin, Italy.

In the ATP Finals doubles, Dutch-Croatian duo Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Mektic claimed their first title together by edging Jurgen Melzer and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-2 3-6 10-5.

The fifth-seeded Koolhof and Mektic, in their maiden season together, had lost in their other two finals, including at the US Open, but it proved a case of third time lucky.