Borna Coric has been struggling to find his A-game on the ATP level. The Croat dropped out from the top-100 at the beginning of the season and decided to return to Challengers, seeking wins and confidence.
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Borna made the best possible move, conquering three titles within a month and returning to the elite 100 players. Coric claimed trophies in Lugano andThionville on an indoor court. He took a little break and extended his streak at the home event on clay.
The Croat conquered the Zadar Challenger, adding another title to his collection and thrilling his family, friends and fans who came to support him.
The 3rd seed chased the title against the 5th seed, Valentin Royer. The 21-year-old claimed the opener before Borna stepped in and provided a3-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph in two hours and 13 minutes. The rain sent them off the court in the sixth game of the decider.
They continued 70 minutes later, and the home favorite brought the win home safely and started a massive celebration. Coric served at 71% and outplayed his rival behind the first and second serve. The more experienced player claimed 11 points more than the young gun.
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The Croat saved four of six break points and provided four return games from six chances. Royer denied a break point in the first game of the match and stole Coric's serve in the next one after the 3rd seed's backhand error.
The Frenchman provided two fine holds and forged a 4-1 advantage. Borna denied three break points in the sixth game, holding and remaining within one break deficit. Valentin served for the opener at 5-3 and landed a perfect drop shot winner, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 45 minutes.
Coric made a fresh start in the second set and left his rival miles behind. The home player clinched 20 of the opening 22 points, delivering commandingbreaks in games two and four. Borna painted a backhand down the line winner in the fifth game and held at love for 5-0.
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Royer avoided a bagel in the sixth game and pulled one break back in the next one to prolong the set. However, Coric clinched another break in the eighth game, wrapping up the set 6-2 and generating massive confidence ahead of the decider.
The Croat closed the first game with a backhand down the line winner before they left the court in the second one due to a short rain delay. Borna welcomed a huge forehand error from his rival on a break point and moved 2-0 in front.
The home player delivered comfortable holds in games three and five, moving 4-1 up before the more extended rain delay. Once they returned, the 3rd seed faced a break point in game sevenand saved it with a service winner before holding with another for 5-2.
Royer served to stay in the match in game eight and brought it home with a crafty drop shot winner. Borna served for the title at 5-3 and drew the rival's mistake for match points. The former world no. 12 converted the first with an unreturned serve, celebrating his third Challenger title within a month.
