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BSP-22
TENNIS-ATP-CHN-FEDERER
Federer stunned by 13th seed Coric in Shanghai semis
SHANGHAI, Oct 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Roger Federer was turfed out of the
Shanghai Masters semi-finals on Saturday by 13th-seeded Borna Coric, the
Croatian stunning the Swiss great 6-4, 6-4.
The 21-year-old Coric will face Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final after the
Serb thrashed Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-1, leapfrogging Federer to number two
in the world rankings.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer has not been at his brilliant best
all week, dropping sets in the two opening matches of his wobbly title
defence.
The 37-year-old top seed was more like his old self on Friday, defeating
eighth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).
But he made a slow start against Coric, ranked 19 in the world, getting
broken in the first game in an error-strewn performance.
There was a subtle shake of the head when Federer similarly lost his serve
at the start of the second set.
In contrast, Coric — who is into his first Masters 1000 final — was
largely untroubled on his serve.
Federer won the Australian Open at the start of this year but has had a
mediocre season by his sky-high standards.
He exited the US Open in the last 16 at the hands of unheralded Australian
John Millman, ranked 55th, and only made the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
Coric, who has only two career titles to his name, has now beaten Federer
twice — the previous time was in the final at Halle this year.
BSS/AFP/FI/2000 hrs