Thiem puts a new spin on serve and volley tennis

Serve and … a tweener? That’s new.

Down a set and a break to Jack Sock in the second round of the Paris Masters, Dominic Thiem served and charged the net. He connected on his first volley, but not the way any coach or instructor on the planet would teach, and the little improv move paid off.

Perhaps Sock, who’s been known to hit a tweener or two, was a little surprised as it looks like he had on a play at the ball.

It wouldn't be enough, though, as Sock won the match, 6-2, 6-4, and Thiem’s chances of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London took a hit.

Sock has been on a winning tear the past few weeks: Between singles and doubles, he’s made finals at four different tournaments.

Thiem, on the other hand, after playing such a heavy schedule all year, looks like he's hit a wall. Now, his chances of going to London are out of his control with no other ATP events between Paris and the Finals. The 23-year-old is seventh in the race to London, but Marin Cilic and Tomas Berdych could overtake him.

Still, it’s been a memorable season for him with four titles—and a hot shot for the ages—picked up along the way.