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Roger Federer returned to Foro Italico in 2019, competing at the Rome Masters for the first time since 2016. Like many others, Roger had a busy schedule on his opening day, playing two matches on Thursday. The Swiss made a winning start and ousted Joao Sousa in the second round.
A few hours later, a four-time Rome finalist met Borna Coric and worked hard in a thrilling 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory in two hours and 31 minutes! Roger fended off two match points in the tie break and prevailed 9-7 to emerge at the top and advance into the quarter-final.
Borna had two wins over Roger before this match and had a massive chance to add the third. The Croat played well in the opener and stood a point away from the finish line in the closing stages. Coric claimed 12 points more than Federer thanks to that opening set.
He experienced only two breaks from as many chances offered to the legend and kept the pressure on the other side.
Roger Federer saved two MPs versus Borna Coric in Rome 2019.
The Swiss erased five out of eight break points and kept his focus in the decider's closing moments to emerge at the top.
Roger had 33 winners and 42 unforced errors. Coric delivered a 29-35 ratio, overpowering Federer in the shortest and mid-range exchanges but failing to make the final push and earn the win. The young Croat made a perfect start.
He dropped just nine points on serve in the opening set and delivered magic on the return to leave Federer far behind. Borna broke in the encounter's first game, forcing Roger's error after a deep return. Coric opened a 3-0 lead following a terrible backhand from the Swiss, who could not find his rhythm in the day's second match.
Borna closed the first part of the encounter with a comfortable hold in game eight for 6-2 after 40 minutes and a boost. Federer counted 13 errors and trailed in the shortest points up to four strokes, where he usually rules the court.
He had to work much harder in set number two to change things on the court and get back into contention. Coric grabbed 43% of the return points in set number two. However, his serve did not work as in the first, which would cost him dearly, especially after losing the edge in the pivotal moments.
Borna hit a loose forehand in the sixth game to drop serve and fall 4-2 behind. Roger came from 40-0 down in the next one and held to confirm the break. Coric held at love in game eight and pulled the break back at love at 3-5 after Federer's forehand error.
Instead of building on that, Borna sprayed a forehand error in the tenth game to lose serve and hand the set to Roger. Federer fended off a break point at 2-2 after forcing Coric's mistake and had to work hard in game nine.
The Croat earned a break chance that could have sent him closer to the finish line. However, he failed to control his forehand, and Roger fired a service winner to remain on the positive side. Borna left that chance behind and serve well to introduce a tie break.
Coric created two match points at 6-4, and the Swiss stayed focused to repel them and prolong the battle. Federer gained a boost and stole the breaker 9-7 to emerge at the top and advance into the last eight.