For much of the set it looked like Nole and Thiem had morphed into the same player which was kind of fascinating to watch. But Thiem was just a little more efficient in all the areas that mattered--serve, return, clutchiness, shot making--for a 7-5 win.
2nd set: Thiem wastes a match point, one of three, on a double fault and Nole takes an epic tie breaker, 12-10.
The difference in this match may end up being self-belief.
3rd set: The inevitable tie breaker. Nole rolls out to a 4-love lead, but wins only one more point the rest of the way. Absolutely epic match.