By Alberto Amalfi | Friday, April 14, 2017
Borna Coric topped second-seeded Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the Marrakech semifinals for the second straight year.
Photo credit: Miami Open
Borna Coric and Jiri Vesely both staged comeback wins to set up a Marrakech semifinal showdown for the second straight year.
The 20-year-old Coric toppled second-seeded Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, to reach his first ATP semifinal since the 2016 Marrakech.
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Coric won 20 of 25 points played on his serve in the final set, including all 14 of his first-serve points.
The 79th-ranked Croatian avenged a straight-sets loss to the left-handed Spaniard at the 2016 Australian Open.
Coric will face another lefty for a spot in the final.
Vesely rapped nine aces and repelled three of four break points, rallying past Paolo Lorenzi, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).
The 53rd-ranked Czech, who saved the only break point of the final set, held to force the decisive tie break.
Vesely netted a routine volley handing Lorenzi the mini break and a 2-0 tie break lead that he eventually extended to 3-1. Vesely answered winning six of the final eight points.
When Lorenzi scattered a forehand wide, Vesely gained the mini break and a 5-4 lead. Following a forehand down the line to net, Vesely punched a backhand volley down the line for double match point.
On his second match point, Vesely whipped a forehand pass celebrating the two hour, 20-minute triumph with a shout.
Coric has won both prior meetings with Vesely, including a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) Marrakech victory last year before bowing to Federico Delbonis in the final.