Borna Coric, who only returned in March after missing a year with a shoulder injury, overcame fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to win the ATP Cincinnati Masters.
The world number 152 Croatian beat the Greek star 7-6 (7/0), 6-2 to become the lowest-ranked player to ever lift the Masters trophy.
“I have no words, to be honest. It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” said the winner. “I just want to enjoy this.
“I think I can play well. I have trained hard, and I know I can play good tennis, but to play at this level of tennis – I just don’t know.
“I’m just super happy, obviously.”.
Coric had lost his only previous final at this level, to Novak Djokovic in Shanghai four years ago.
On Sunday, Coric replaced 143rd-ranked Spaniard Roberto Carretero, the 1996 Hamburg champion, as the most underrated Masters trophy holder.
“My body has been under a lot of stress this whole week,” says Croat. “I come into the league with many, many (coaching)
“I’ve played five games in a row. So I need to rest for a few days. I need to recover and be ready for the US Open.”
Coric came back from an early deficit, leading Tsitsipas 4-1 before turning the corner and scoring the equalizer for love.
The momentum continued to change in the second set for Croat, who was supported by a number of fans wearing the colors of the shirt.
“I realized that I needed to be more aggressive,” said Coric. “He’s an unbelievable player, and he won’t miss my solid balls.
“I said to myself, ‘I have nothing to lose. If this continues, I will definitely lose’.
“He also played very, very well, putting pressure on me.”
Coric shot seven aces and saved three of four break points in a two-hour victory.
Coric improved to an all-time 2-1 against Tsitsipas, after pulling out of their first meeting in Rome in 2018 and winning the third round of the US Open 2020 in a fifth set tiebreak.
“You’ve kicked my ass the last few times,” Tsitsipas told Coric during the title ceremony.
He then praised Coric’s title race in Cincinnati, which included victories over Rafael Nadal, England’s Cameron Norrie and Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“You’ve proven yourself time and time again,” says Tsitsipas.
“It’s been an incredible comeback from injury. You’re proving that you’re up there with us.”
Tsitsipas said he is still searching for his first title on outdoor hard courts having lost six finals played on cement.
“It sucks,” said the Greek.
“I still hope to come back here and win one day.” I’m definitely not suffocating – I only play robots every once in a while in the finals. “
Ominous clouds rained down on the area shortly after the trophy ceremony was completed.
There was a storm delay for much of the week at the Midwest event, the last major event for the US Open, which begins August 29.
