Coric upsets Tsitsipas to win Cincinnati Masters title

Borna Coric defeated fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (0), 6-2 

CINCINNATI, AFP: Borna Coric, who only returned in March after missing a year with a shoulder injury, dominated fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to win the ATP Cincinnati Masters.

The world number 152 from Croatia dispatched the Greek star 7-6 (7/0), 6-2 to become the lowest-ranked player to ever lift a Masters trophy.

“I have no words, to be honest. It’s just an unbelievable feeling,” the winner said. 

“I’m just gonna enjoy this. I thought I could play well. I was training hard, and I knew I could play good tennis, but to play this level of tennis - I was just not aware. I’m just super happy, obviously.” Coric lost his only previous final at this level, going down to Novak Djokovic in Shanghai four years ago.

On Sunday, Coric replaced 143rd-ranked Spaniard Roberto Carretero, the 1996 Hamburg champion, as the lowest-rated Masters trophy lifter.

“It’s been very stressful for my body this whole week,” the Croat said. “I came into the tournament with many, many (training) sessions. I played five matches now in a row. So, I need to rest for a couple of days. I need to recover and just get ready for the US Open.”