Roger Federer upset by youngster in Gary Weber Open final, will lose #1 ATP ranking
Croatian youngster Borna Coric defeated world #1-ranked Roger Federer in the final match of the Gary Weber Open Sunday in three sets, 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-2.
The loss in Halle, Germany, snapped Federer’s 20-match winning streak on grass, and will move him down to #2 in the world behind Spain’s Rafael Nadal Monday. Had he won, Federer would have clinched a record 10 wins in 12 attempts in Halle.
Coric is currently tanked #34 in the world, and this was just his second-ever ATP title.
The moment that @borna_coric stunned Roger Federer for the biggest [trophy] of his career!
#GerryWeberOpen pic.twitter.com/xzkct8UuWv
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 24, 2018
The tight first set Sunday lasted nearly an hour, and Coric had to survive two Federer set points to take the win.
“I was impressed with him,” Federer said after the match. “He was always a tick better in the end and he took his chances.”
Coric, only 21, also had to defeat world #3 Alexander Zverev in the opening round in order to advance.
Federer, 36, skipped clay-court season (including the French Open), and began competing on grass last week. With the loss, he remains two wins away from tying Jimmy Connors for the all-time record of 174 victories on grass.
