BSP-22 Federer stunned by 13th seed Coric in Shanghai semis

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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