Coric Wins 1st Career Title After Kohlschreiber Lock-up at ATP Marrakech

With a little help from German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber, Croat Borna Coric won his career-first title on Sunday.
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Coric saved five match points in downing Kohlschreiber 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 in the final of the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, Morocco.

A runner-up in Marrakech last year, the Croatian won the longest final on the ATP World Tour this year.

“I served very well in the big points,” he said. “It’s an awesome feeling. I didn’t know what to expect when I came here and I wasn’t in the best shape. But I’ve been working very hard the past three or four months and now it’s paying off.”

Kohlschreiber in the third set went up a break 3-1, but couldn’t hold the advantage as Coric eventually broke at 6-5 for the title.

Coric was 0-2 career against Kohlschreiber entering the match.

Kohlschreiber fell to 7-9 in career finals.

“It’s one of those days where you have many good opportunities,” Kohlschreiber said. “It was a big fight and great drama in the end. Losing a match with match points and to be so close to the title is always very difficult. But it was a very good week for me.”