Borna Coric beats Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Cincy Open (7/6 6/2) to win his second Master 1000 on Sunday, the 21st of August.
Borna Coric, who was 152nd in the world last week, became the player with the lowest ranking in history to win a Master 1000. This last victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas isn’t the only feat that accomplished the Croatian player. In the second round, Coric came up against Rafael Nadal. The Spanish, who played his first match since his withdrawal from Wimbledon, was the only one able to grab a set (7/6 4/6 6/3). His three next opponents, all in the top 20, couldn’t : Robert Bautista Agut (6/2 6/3), Felix Auger-Aliassime (6/4 6/4) et Cameron Norrie (6/3 6/4).
Thanks to this unexpected victory, Borna Coric will once again enter the top 30. After a year off the ATP Tour due to a shoulder injury, the 25 years old player began his comeback in March of 2022. His return on the Challenger tour and his few ATP tournaments seem to have been enough to give him back full confidence in his tennis.
During the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded 5th, Borna Coric was able to stay patient and solid. The beginning of this encounter was dominated by the Greek player, confident after his win against the number one in the world, Daniil Medvedev (7/6 3/6 6/3). Tsitsipas controlled the rallies from the back of the court thanks to big first serves. He got a break in the first game and lead 3-0. The outcome of the match seemed to depend on the Greek who alternated between strokes of genius and big faults. He committed two enforced errors which offered three break points to Borna Coric – he took the opportunity: 4/3, service to come. Then, began an endless game of high tension. Stefanos Tsitsipas didn’t manage to win any of the three break points and allowed Coric to narrow the point gap: 4/4. From this moment, the Croatian seemed far more threatening. He dominated the long rallies with an aggressive tennis that choked Tsitsipas. The last games, all tied, lead to a tiebreak. The Greek began with a double fault that showed his lack of confidence. The next 6 points were won by Borna Coric who stunned his opponent: 7/6[7-0].
Stefanos Tsitsipas didn’t give up and had 3 break points in the first game of the second set. Yet, he couldn’t convert this opportunity – and there weren’t many to come. The end of this encounter was dominated by Borna Coric who showed great regularity. Tsitsipas struggled during each of his service games and eventually cave in: the Croatian lead 4/2. Despite a 10 minutes long next game, Coric kept his advantage. Tsitsipas had to serve to stay in the match; but couldn’t do it.
The victory is the synonym of a 3rd title for Borna Coric. Dominated in the beginning of the encounter, his tenacity got the better of his opponent. Game master during the rallies from the back of the court, he made very few enforced errors while making his rival crack. His winners of the backhand side stunned Tsitsipas numerous times. The Greek, victim of his too many unforced errors, was out of solution on Sunday. However, he embellished this match with his amazing touch of the ball: serve and volley on important points, rises to the net, dropshot winners. Stefanos Tsitsipas played an entertaining tennis to the delight of fans.
The Cincy Open, last Master before the US Open, enabled Borna Coric to win 123 spots in the ATP Rankings. He will be seeded for the last Grand Slam of the year which is a huge asset. As for Stefanos Tsitsipas, he is back to being 5th in the world after loosing his position last week in Montreal. This encouraging end of the American swing will enable him to begin the US Open with confidence.
Marnie Abbou
