Pouille captures first career title

Metz : France's Lucas Pouille won his first career title on Sunday when he downed top seed Domminic Thiem of Austria 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in the Metz ATP final.

World number 18 Pouille, who defeated Rafael Nadal on his way to the US Open quarter-finals three weeks ago, claimed victory in 78 minutes.

The 22-year-old Frenchman notched his fifth victory over a Top 10 opponent this year and a 30th match win overall in 2016.

"Winning a title is a big step, it's an objective I wanted to achieve this year. It was a well-played final. We both played at a high level," said Pouille.

Thiem was bidding for his fifth title of the year.

Despite the defeat he still remains on course for a place in the eight-man end-of-season ATP World Tour Finals in London.