By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, June 13, 2016

David Goffin used depth—and a favorable deflection from the net—to squeeze out a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-4 victory over Borna Coric in Halle today.

The fifth-seeded Belgian's deep backhand drive on match point forced Coric to counter off his back foot. His backhand collided with the top of the tape and dangled in mid-air for a moment before settling back on his side ending a two hour, 47-minute skirmish.

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It was Goffin's fourth win over Coric in as many meetings, including a five-set victory over the Croatian on clay in Davis Cup play earlier this season.

Kei Nishikori converted four of eight break points, rallying past Lucas Pouille, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4. Nishikori has reached the Halle semifinals two years running.

"It wasn't easy today because there was no play on the training courts due to the bad weather," Nishikori said afterward. "Nevertheless it was a good match for me, Lucas was a strong opponent."

The second-seeded Japanese will play either Stuttgart quarterfinalist Florian Mayer or American Brian Baker in the second round.

Each man broke once in the opening set with Goffin taking a tense tie break to collect the opening set.

In prime position for a winning volley, Goffin did not bend down for the dipping pass and netted his forehand volley sparking a run of four straight points from Coric for a 5-1 lead in the tie break. Coric closed the second set to level when Goffin sprayed a forehand down the line wide.

Both men withstood break-point pressure to start the decider.

Coric saved a break point in the second game and Goffin staved a couple of break points holding for 2-1.

A two-ace game helped the Belgian hold for 4-3. Coric answered navigating a tense service game to draw even.

Serving to extend the match, Coric struck his third double fault to hand Goffin match point. A stretched return set up Goffin's deep backhand. Coric's reply struck the very top of the tape dribbling back on his side of the net to end a tight test.



The 11th-ranked Belgian will take on qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round for a potential shot at top-seeded Roger Federer in the quarterfinals.Stakhovsky defeated American Denis Kudla, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

In an all-qualifier match-up, German Benjamin Becker beat Ernests Gulbis, 7-5, 6-3. Gulbis hit 12 aces and eight double faults, including a double fault on match point.