In a brilliant semi-final game, Croatia’s Borna Ćorić kicked out Roger Federer from the Shanghai Masters.
Croatian tennis player Borna Ćorić has advanced to the final of the Shanghai Masters! Ćorić defeated last year's winner, the legendary Swiss player Roger Federer, 6:4, 6:4 in an hour and 14 minutes of play. This is Ćorić’s second consecutive victory against Federer, who he also beat in June in the Halle final.
The young Zagreb native broke Federer in the opening game and managed to secure the first set in 34 minutes. Ćorić managed to break the top-seed of the tournament in the opening game of the second set, too. Federer even gave Ćorić the chance for a break point seven times! With a brilliant serving game as well, Ćorić has reached his first final in a Masters 1000 series tournament!
“It was one of the best matches I've ever played. I felt the ball well,” said Ćorić. “I served the best in life, that's for sure. I played much better than my usual level. My standard level is better this year than last, but I cannot say it's my usual level,” he concluded.
“He was better, better at hitting the ball and serving. That's it,” Federer said. “He had a lot more chances than me. I started both sets poorly,” he added.
Ćorić will face the three-time Shanghai winner Novak Djokovic who defeated German player Alexander Zverev 6-2 6-1 in the earlier semi-final. Djokovic won the game in 59 minutes.
Ćorić and Djokovic have played each other twice so far, once in 2016 and earlier this year, though the Serbian player has won both times.
The final will be played on Sunday at 10:30 am.
