Rafael Nadal took the controversial decision of playing in Basel even if he was struggling with his appendicitis. The world no.3 paid his decision with a bad loss at the hands of rising star (and 17-year-old) Borna Coric.
The Spanish Legend was also 1 step away from being bagelled (6-0) in first set, but Coric didn’t hold serve when he was 5-0 up. After a terrible opening set (2-6), Rafa managed to give a match to the crowd by battling in the second. Eventually there were no breaks in the second and the Croatian clinched the most prestigious victory of his (very young) career 6-2 7-6 (4).
Some Numbers
Not to take anything away from Coric that played brilliant tennis, Rafa wasn’t even close to his 50%. The Spaniard committed a mind-blowing 37 unforced errors a most of them came from his forehand (!!!). Eventually Coric scored 72 points vs. Rafa’s 64. Match Stats.
Nadal: Without health you cannot work
Rafa commented “It’s nothing frustrating for me to lose here. I knew it was going to happen. I was ready for that. I accept and I know I have to be better for the beginning of 2015, and the only way to be better is work and health. Without health, you cannot work.”
Coric: I didn’t have anything to lose
Borna commented “Believe me, I’m a very nervous person. I[was just trying to keep it inside of me. I didn’t have anything to lose. Because I never played against him, I wasn’t sure what I was going to get. Is he going to kill me or what? – so I was under pressure.”
Borna will play David Goffin in the semifinal
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