Dubai Open: Roger Federer demolishes Borna Coric to enter final
Roger Federer's 6-2, 6-1 win took less than an hour, his ability to
mix up the patterns with slices, pace changes and net rushes breaking up
the rhythms of containment at which Coric previously excelled and making
it more difficult to overcome a rookie's tension.
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Roger Federer |
Dubai: Roger Federer on Friday advanced confidently to his ninth
final at the Dubai Open, and to the 123rd final of his career, by ending
the remarkable five-match streak of Borna Coric, the teenager suddenly
being touted as a future champion.
The 18-year-old Croatian only reached the main draw as a lucky loser,
but then became the youngest player ever to reach the semi-finals here
with a crushing win over Andy Murray, the world number three.But Federer
taught the upstart a sharp lesson. His 6-2, 6-1 win took less than an
hour, his ability to mix up the patterns with slices, pace changes and
net rushes breaking up the rhythms of containment at which Coric
previously excelled and making it more difficult to overcome a rookie's
tension."
I remember when I played Andre Agassi when I was 17," said Federer.
"I was scared I would lose love and love and I won five games, and
that's how it goes. I wish him well for the rest of his career."Coric
showed hints of humour to leaven his disappointment. "I was watching him
when I was six or seven and hoped I would one day play him," he said.
"I knew it would be difficult and there is more pressure than when
you are watching on the sofa."Federer started a little haltingly, and
was required to save two break points in his opening service game,
before taking advantage of the teenager's nerves to race to a three-game
lead, before needing to scotch a brief Coric comeback.
That happened when the Croatian broke back with the help of a Federer
double fault in gusty conditions, after which Coric started to rally a
little more fluently and confidently.
But Federer kept up his threat to the young man's second delivery and
risked plenty of rushes to the net, and was rewarded for them.
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