Borna Coric has benefited from some good fortune earlier in the week in Marrakech to put himself within one victory of his first career ATP title. Standing in Coric’s way on Sunday is Federido Delbonis.
Borna Coric and Federico Delbonis will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they battle for the Grand Prix Hassan II title on Sunday.
Coric did not have to take the court until Friday, because he bagged an opening-round bye as the No. 3 seed before getting a walkover from Simone Bolelli. The 48th-ranked Croat then outlasted Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and six minutes before defeating Jiri Vesely 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in the semifinals. Coric owns 11 ATP-level match victories this season, a number that includes a runner-up performance in Chennai.
That was the 19-year-old’s first-ever ATP final. Delbonis, on the other hand, already has one ATP title under his belt to go along with a pair of runner-up showings. Including this one in Marrakech, all four of the Argentine’s final appearances have come at 250-point clay-court tournaments.
Current form is another reason why Delbonis’ run to this title match comes as no surprise. The world No. 47 is a stellar 14-7 for his 2016 campaign and he recently advanced to the Indian Wells fourth round thanks in part to an upset of Andy Murray. So far in Marrakech, Delbonis has taken out Thiemo De Bakker, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Albert Montanes in straight sets without even being pushed to a tiebreaker.
On what is by far his favorite surface, an in-form Delbonis should be in line for his second career winner’s trophy.
Pick: Delbonis in 3
[polldaddy poll=9380161]
who ya got?
I think this match could go either way but I see Delbonis getting it done in three.
Delbonis will get lots of winners on his first serve and from the baseline while Coric’ll have to beat for every score. The Argentine shall prevail and lift the trophy.
Would like to think Coric will make this competitive. He is growing in stature and has the fearless attitude typical of a champion in the making. I am probably allowing my heart to rule my head but I’m predicting Coric for the upset in 3 very tight sets.
oops!
it’s so funny to see Lyani in the chair at a low key 250 tourney. He once said it gives him as much pleasure to umpire matches between unknown players with no spectators as it does a grand slam. No wonder he is so popular with players and public alike.
Coric is frustrated by his inability to penetrate the Delbonis defence. Starting to spray UEs.
At 4;4 Coric held two break points but failed on multiple chances to convert. End of the road for him now I suspect.
Well done, Federico! ✌
Delbonis wins in straight sets.
My optimism for Coric was misplaced. Another runner up finish.
Congratulations to Delbonis on winning his 2nd title.
Oh, and chapeau to Ricky even though the scoreline was not spot on.
I got it right. Voted Delbonis in 2. He’s been on a roll. Congrats Delbo!
Cibulkova and Giorgi are slugging it out in Katowice – nice to see a lively crowd in attendance. It appeared Domi would easily win the first set but Camila clawed her way back to nearly even it. Domi takes first set, 6-4.
#ratcliffdamus