Coric becomes Baez’s first rival in Winston-Salem | ATP Tour

Winston-Salem

Coric becomes Baez’s first rival in Winston-Salem

The Argentine leads the Lexus ATP HeadToHead between the two 2-0

August 19, 2024

One of last year’s semi-finals at the Winston-Salem Open will now be a second-round match. Twelve months ago it was won by Argentine Sebastian Baez, but now Borna Coric will be looking for revenge.

The latter, a former No. 12 in the PIF ATP Rankings, set up a new duel between the two on Sunday thanks to his victory over Indian Sumit Nagal by 6-4, 6-2 on the first day of main draw action at the ATP 250 in Winston-Salem.

“I like the fast conditions,” Coric said after the win, which improved his record to 8-3 in this tournament. “But I also like the city. Obviously it’s very quiet and before going to New York [a jugar el US Open]“I need some calm, so that’s very good.”

The No. 83 in the rankings will now try to beat the defending champion for the first time in Winston-Salem, who doesn’t bring back the best memories for Coric. Baez, the top seed this week, beat him 12 months ago in consecutive weeks: in the semifinals of this event, and days later in the first round of the US Open.

In other results of the day, Frenchman Arthur Cazaux defeated Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-1, 7-6 (3) to meet 16th seed, Australian Rinky Hijikata, in the second round.

Fellow Australian Aleksandar Vukic defeated Britain’s Daniel Evans 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 after not facing a break point from the first set onwards, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He will next face fourth-seeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.

In addition, Hungarian Marton Fucsovics defeated Japanese Taro Daniel 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 and will now face Alex Michelsen, an American from the #NextGenATP who will play the doubles final of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 on Monday with Mackenzie McDonald.