Coric the Cincinnati Master

Final day in Cincinnati.

2022 Western & Southern Open, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, on Hard, in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 15-21 August 2022.

2021 champion (not defending):

Alexander Zverev (3) who defeated Andrey Rublev (4) 6-2 6-3

Final:

Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) (Greece) v Borna Coric (Croatia)

The players met twice previously.

Tsitsipas won on clay in Rome in 2018, but it was a match only lasting 5 games before Coric retired injured.

In 2020, Coric won a five setter in the third round of the US Open.

Tsitsipas began well, breaking in the first Coric service game, and taking a 2-0 lead.

Serving at 4-2, Tsitsipas faced three break back points, thanks largely to backhand and forehand winners from Coric.

Tsitsipas saved two, the second with excellent volleying, but on the third he put a forehand wide and Coric was back on serve,

In a scrappy ten minute eighth game, Coric saved three break points, and eventually held for 4-4, sealed with an ace.

Serving at 5-5 30-30, Tsitsipas failed with a backhand, and he faced break point.

An ace saved it. Serve was held.

Coric served at 5-6 to stay in the set. and he successfully forced a tie break.

Coric won the first point, against the Tsitsipas serve.

A winning forehand from Coric, again against the Greek serve, gave him a 4-0 advantage.

A backhand winner against the Tsitsipas serve and 5-0.

An ace from Coric and six set points.

Only one needed. Coric took the set 7-6(0).

Down 0-40 in the opening game of set two, Coric saved all three break points and held for 1-0.

Tsitsipas faced two break points at 15-40 in game four, and saved both. He faced another and saved that as well.

Serve was held for 2-2.

Serving at 2-3, Tsitsipas double faulted and then hit the net with a forehand, leaving him facing two break points.

One saved with an ace, the next saved with a volley winner.

Coric forced a forehand error and another break point.

Double fault and Coric led 4-2.

Tsitsipas served at 2-5 to stay in the match.

Three backhand unforced errors from the Greek racquet, and it was 15-40. Two match points.

One saved with a Coric forehand mistake.

A forehand hit out by Tsitsipas and it was over.

Borna Coric had won the Cincinnati crown 7-6(0) 6-2, his third career title from eight finals, first since Halle in June 2018, and first at Masters 1000 level.

His ranking will move up from #152 to #29, and he will be seeded at the US Open.