Shanghai Flashback: Flawless Borna Coric topples Roger Federer in straight sets

The 21-year-old Borna Coric became the first player born in 1996 with the Masters 1000 final in Shanghai 2018 after a picture-perfect 6-4, 6-4 triumph over the defending champion Roger Federer in an hour and 13 minutes! It was the second win for Borna over Roger in four matches and the second in a row, scoring a win in the Halle final and continuing his run over the 20-time Grand Slam champion in what has been one of his best performances ever on hard courts. Federer would lose the no. 2 spot in the rankings to Novak Djokovic on Monday, and this was his first loss in the Masters 1000 semi-finals since Paris 2013 when Djokovic defeated him in straight sets. Borna played on a very high level throughout the week, holding serve in 38 out of 41 games in four matches and never facing a break point against Federer. Roger won only nine points on the return in the entire clash (his first one without earning a break chance since the 2015 Halle semi-final against Karlovic)!

Coric did enough damage on the return, winning 34% o the points in Roger's games and converting two out of seven break opportunities to secure the triumph in straight sets and join Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final. The Croat did everything right on the court, serving with great pace and variety and standing as the dominant figure in the rallies, pushing Roger's backhand to the limits and opening the court for easy execution.

In Shanghai 2018, Boprna Coric ousted Roger Federer in straight sets to reach final.

The youngster had 19 winners and 13 unforced errors while Federer counted to 19 winners and 24 mistakes, unable to keep his backhand safe and impose his forehand. Coric overpowered Federer in the shortest points and stood stronger in the more extended exchanges (21-11) to earn his win fair and square. Borna hit the zone from the very first strike, forcing an error from Roger to move a break up and confirming it with three service winners in game two for a perfect start.

That proved to be the pivotal moment of the set, as they both served well in the remaining games, with Coric serving for the opener at 5-4. With no sign of nerves, Borna blasted two service winners for a hold at love and the first set in his hands after just 34 minutes. Nothing changed in set number two, and Federer suffered an instant break in the opening game when his forehand landed long, giving Coric another injection of confidence that carried him towards the finish line. The Swiss saved a break chance with a service winner in the fifth game and another with an ace at 2-4, staying within one break deficit but failing to create any damage on the return. Serving for the victory at 5-4, Borna landed four winners to seal the deal and celebrate one of his most impressive wins ever. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/381I8PX