ROCKING UPSET
Borna Coric stuns defending champion Roger Federer to face Novak Djokovic in Shanghai Masters final
Shanghai — Borna Coric upset defending champion Roger Federer to face Novak Djokovic in the Shanghai Masters final on Sunday.
Coric earned passage to the final by taking down the top-seeded Federer 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals on Saturday.
"It was one of the best matches of my life," Coric said. Coric said neck pain almost caused him to skip playing in Shanghai.
"Today, really, I just came on the court with absolutely no pressure. I basically didn't care, and that's why I played so good."
The Croatian gave himself a third career shot at Djokovic. In their previous meetings, Coric failed to take a set off of Djokovic.
The soon-to-be-No. 2-ranked Djokovic booked a final appointment after crushing No. 5 Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-1.Coric finished off Federer in style with the final two points an ace and a sizzling forehand crosscourt winner.
Coric didn't offer Federer a break point opportunity, while managing to break Federer's serve in the opening game of both sets. In all, Federer presented Coric with seven beak point possibilities.
"He had more punch on the ball. He served better," Federer said. "I got off to a bad start in both sets. That combination is plenty here in Shanghai with fast conditions."
Federer has won three titles this year - the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Stuttgart - but all of them were earned before the start of Wimbledon in July. /
It was one of the best matches of my life. Today, really, I just came on the court with absolutely no pressure. I basically didn't care, and that's why I played so good.