Coric Denies #NextGenATP Shapo In Miami

Borna Coric is again proving he’s in this for the long haul after a third straight three-set victory to reach the Miami Open presented by Itau quarter-finals, this time over #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov. After a semi-final run in Indian Wells, the 29th seed is through to his second straight ATP World Tour Masters 1000 quarter-final with the 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-4 victory.

Brimming with confidence after his run in Indian Wells, where he narrowly fell short against Roger Federer, Coric was more consistent than his 18-year-old opponent to take the opening-set tie-break 7/2. Shapovalov, coming off his best win this season over No. 11 seed Sam Querrey in the third round, found his spark when he picked off a backhand pass from a short approach to bring up three break points at 2-2 in the second set. He converted and despite letting the Croatian back into the set, he closed out the final two games of the set to send the match into a decider.  

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Coric, a qualifier at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, had survived a two-hour, 56-minute clash to defeat Leonardo Mayer in the second round before a two-hour, 49-minute battle to see off No. 8 seed Jack Sock on Monday. This match – a two-hour, 17-minute showdown – seemed almost efficient in comparison. 

The Croatian claimed a 33-shot rally to edge ahead 5-4 in the third set against Shapovalov before the Canadian blinked, sending down three double faults to gift two match points. 
Coric sealed his second FedEx ATP Head2Head victory in as many meetings between the pair and awaits the winner of Tuesday night’s match between fourth seed Alexander Zverev and 17th seed Nick Kyrgios.