Dominic Thiem's storied career comes to an end at Erste Bank Open

Thiem, whose career has been blighted by injuries since his lone grand-slam triumph, announced in May this season would be his last and he led 4-2 in the first set then 3-0 and 5-2 in the breaker.

But world number 42 Darderi hit back to take the first set then comfortably won the second, with the crowd holding up special cards displaying the Austrian flag and the words 'Danke Dominic' (Thank You Dominic) after the match.

Thiem, a 17-time winner on the ATP Tour, then placed the racquet he had been playing with into a special glass case, which will be auctioned off.

The 31-year-old, runner-up at the French Open twice and Australian Open once, said: "I've had so many nice goodbyes in the last few months, but today I want to say thank you for all the sensational years. I am only a part of this career. The whole journey has been an absolute dream and I want this afternoon, this evening to be yours. I couldn't have imagined it any better. Thank you!"

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Britain's Cameron Norrie lost 6-4 7-6 (4) to America's Frances Tiafoe.

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