Coric Uses Momentum To Earn Straight-Sets Win

They say that one point could change a match. That rang plenty true in the third match of the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals.

Borna Coric used a line-clipping return down set point in the first set to turn his opening match of the tournament around before ousting Jared Donaldson, 4-3(2), 4-1, 4-3(5), on Tuesday evening.

The American appeared to be control, having broken at 2-2 in the opener. But on a deciding-point deuce, the Croatian lunged out wide for a forehand, which he sent flying crosscourt off the edge of the line to save the set and with it, gain all the momentum he needed to storm away from his opponent.

As Coric’s coach said after his charge won the first-set tie-break — players are allowed to put on a headset to communicate with their coach after each set — it would be important to change directions on the backhand side. And Coric executed the advice to perfection, becoming more aggressive and controlling play with laser-like backhands down the line throughout the final two sets. Donaldson did not take advantage of the in-match coaching innovation in his opener.

One of the other innovations in Milan — a shorter set — made it tough for Donaldson to wrestle the momentum back to his side of the court. In short order, 20 minutes to be exact, Coric won the second set on the back of an immediate break of serve. And once the Croatian grabbed that lead, a comeback seemed daunting for the American.

Donaldson managed to force a tie-break in the third set. But when Coric hit a serve off the net at 6-5 that bounced in the box — there are no lets in Milan — his opponent had difficulty getting a racquet on the ball. Coric easily put the next shot away to move to 1-0 at the Fiera Milano.