Indian Wells: Borna Coric Scares Roger Federer in Thrilling Semi-Final

Borna Coric (Photo: BNP Paribas Open/Twitter)

21-year-old Croatian tennis star Borna Coric has given World No.1 Roger Federer a scare in the semi-final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Coric, who stormed into Saturday’s semi-final with a stunning 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) win over Kevin Anderson in the quarterfinals, raised his game another few notches to give the Swiss master a real test in the tournament he has won five times straight.

Coric took the first set and was a break up in both the second and third sets before Federer eventually took the thriller 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Both players comfortably held serve for most of the opening set until Coric forced the first break points of the match in the 11th game.

The Croatian made no mistake and broke Federer to lead 6-5. Coric served out comfortably, playing some fantastic tennis in the process to deservedly claim the first set 7-5.

Coric becomes the first man to take a set off Federer in Indian Wells in nine matches, serving out the opener 7-5. #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/L6thM3UMPj

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2018

Coric started the second set as he finished the first, playing hard-hitting tennis from the baseline to force Federer into a number of errors to claim the early break. Coric held his serve to go 2-0 up.

Federer was making uncharacteristic errors and started to show signs of frustration as he could not find a way past Coric. The big crowd started to get behind Federer and the World No.1 finally broke back in the 8th game of the set to get himself back in the match at 4-4.

It takes 83 minutes, but Federer finally sees his first break of the match to level the 2nd set *4-4.#BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/N8ZeLJwX9i

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2018

Federer lifted a gear and would break Coric for the second game in a row to claim the second set 6-4.

Coric started the decider in the best possible way, breaking Federer to love, but he would drop his serve for the third game to immediately lose his advantage. Coric would be next to break however in the 7th game as Federer struggled to cope with the strengthening wind.

In the topsy-turvy final set, Federer would again break straight back to level at 4-4 before breaking Coric again to claim the decider 6-4.

Back from the Fed

World No. 1 Roger Federer battles back from behind to win three-set thriller over Borna Coric 5-7 6-4 6-4.

He’s through to his historic *EIGHTH* Indian Wells final. #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/rQrmodB9yZ

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2018

Coric’s fantastic run at Indian Wells saw him beat Donald Young, Albert Ramos Vinolas, Roberto Bautista Agut, Taylor Fritz, and Anderson.

“Borna was incredibly steady… it was tough to do anything often,” Federer says on court. “Those 10 minutes when I was down a set and a break it was hard for me to accept. … I got a bit lucky. It was a good match.” #BNPPO18

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 17, 2018

Federer plays 6th seed Juan Martin del Potro in Sunday’s final.