Shanghai Masters 2018: Borna Ćorić beaten in the final
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Borna Ćorić (Photo: Shanghai Masters)
21-year-old Croatian tennis player Borna Ćorić has ended the 2018 Shanghai Masters with a cheque for $667,000 and a new career-high ranking after finishing runner-up.
Ćorić, who yesterday beat 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer to reach today’s final, went down in straight sets to Novak Djoković 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday.
In an evenly matched first set, three forehand errors from Ćorić handed Djoković the first break of the match in the sixth game and it would be enough for him to take the first set in 38 minutes 6-3.
Halfway to a record-setting 4th #RolexSHMasters title, a focused @DjokerNole takes the first set 6-3 over @borna_coric. Can the youngster create some kind of momentum in the 2nd? No opportunities so far… pic.twitter.com/UHtsTZoBbJ
— RolexShMasters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 14, 2018
The second set did not start great for Ćorić who was broken in the opening game after he put a simple volley at the net wide. Djoković had many chances to break again to go 3-0 up but Ćorić would hang on after a 12-minute game.
Ćorić had a break point chance in the sixth game but failed to take it when he hit a forehand attempted winner down the line out. Djoković, who was solid on serve the whole match, did not give Ćorić any other openings to break back in the set and get back into the match apart.
#Coric gets his right thigh strapping tightened during the changeover. The Croat is ready to give it all he’s got in these final games of the 2nd! Can he manage a break here? #RolexSHMasters pic.twitter.com/TlbOFF09fv
— RolexShMasters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 14, 2018
The Serbian, who will tomorrow replace Federer as the world No.2, collected $1,340,000 for winning the title to take his career earnings to over 120 million after winning the Shanghai Masters for a record fourth time. Djoković now leads Ćorić 3-0 in head-to-head encounters.
“Novak was on a whole another level today and I congratulate him. This is one of the best tournaments, everything has been great, the fans, the food, I even managed to put on some weight here. I hope to see you next year,” Ćorić said after the match.
Ćorić will be confirmed tomorrow as the new world No.13 after his run in China.
“I want to congratulate Borna and his team. You showed the world that we will be seeing a lot of you and I wish you all the best,” Djoković said.
