"It's kind of crazy" - Coric on shock Nadal win in Cincinnati

Borna Coric claimed himself a spot in the round of 16 of the Western and Southern Open after battling against none other than the world number 3 Rafael Nadal.

It wasn't a straight forward win for the Croatian however he showed that he was back to himself after the shoulder surgery he underwent in March.

The enthralling match went on for two hours and fifty-one minutes and it was highly competitive all the way to the end. Coric pipped Nadal to the win though  7-6(9), 4-6, 6-3 to qualify for the next stage in Cincinnati. 

Read also

Borna Coric stuns Nadal in rain-delayed Cincinnati epic

Both players started confidently despite the lack of time they had both spent on the court in recent months. The first set was highly competitive, Nadal started stronger out of the two as he lead 5-4 just before they had to have a one hour delay due to the rain.

However the Croatia clawed back into it, resulting in a tie break shortly after the stoppage for rain. Nadal was at fault for dropping the first set as he was on the receiving end of a double fault meaning Coric took the first set winning 9-8.

Coric applied a lot more pressure on Nadal which helped him get off to a great start leading 4-2 in the third set.

The Croatian didn't become complacent after the early lead. He played through the third set with a confidence displaying a love hold meaning he got that all important win.

He will now face Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round of the Western and Southern Open.

"It has been very, very special," Coric said of his win on centre court. "I was out for the last two years and I didn't play on the big stage in front of the crowd and everybody. I was honestly just looking forward to playing this match as I haven't had that in the last two years. Now that I won, it's kind of crazy."