Dominic Thiem has seen off a spirited Alex de Minaur to seal victory for Austria over Australia in the Davis Cup play-off tie in Graz.
The world No.8 beat the 19-year-old, who is ranked 30 places below him, 6-4 6-2 3-6 6-4 in just under three hours to give his nation an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Thiem, who reached the French Open final earlier this year and ended Rafael Nadal's 51-week unbeaten streak on clay in May, fought back from 3-1 down to take the opening set and then ominously raced into a 4-0 lead on his way to winning the second.
But de Minaur showing the battling qualities that have become his trademark responded magnificently to stun the 6,000-strong home crowd by claiming the third set, to the delight of his mentor, Australia skipper Lleyton Hewitt.
Thiem threatened to take control of the tie early in the fourth set, but de Minaur saved two break points to level at 1-1 with a gutsy drop shot.
With the Australian's confidence beginning to grow, the usually steely Thiem became more and more ragged and backhand down the line that was long on break point gave de Minaur the lead.
However, he was unable to capitalise and Thiem hit back immediately to level to set only for the Sydneysider to claim the next game on the Austrian's serve and lead 4-3.
But once again Thiem regrouped to level the set and after holding finally holding his serve, he broke de Minaur's dogged resistance with a fierce backhand return that drew the error to win the match.
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