Borna Coric wins Thionville Challenger, extends profitable streak

World no. 120 Borna Coric claimed his second Challenger title in as many weeks! The previous world no. 12 conquered Lugano final week and lifted one other trophy on Sunday in Thionville. Thus, the Croat prolonged his streak and moved one good outcome away from the top-100 return.

Coric has been struggling on the ATP stage for a few years. The previous Masters 1000 champion claimed back-to-back wins at solely three ATP tournaments since August 2023. Borna’s begin of the 2025 marketing campaign was additionally gradual.

He got here to Lugano with 4 straight losses earlier than lifting two Challenger crowns for a lift of confidence forward of his upcoming challenges.

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 9, 2025

Coric entered Thionville as the highest seed and prolonged his profitable streak on an indoor onerous court docket. The Croat ousted Paul Jubb 6-2, 6-1 in 70 minutes within the first spherical. Emil Ruusuvuori retired within the second spherical whereas trailing 6-2, 2-2, propelling Borna into the quarter-final after 65 minutes.

Aziz Dougaz stood no likelihood towards the previous world no. 12 within the final eight. Borna earned a 6-4, 6-2 win in 69 minutes, dropping seven factors in his video games and transferring excessive with three breaks on his tally. The seventh seed Alibek Kachmazov fought properly towards the highest seed.

Borna Coric & Arthur Bouquier, 2025 Thionville Challenger© Stream screenshot

Kachamoz took the one set away from Coric throughout the fortnight, however the Croat prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 17 minutes for a spot within the title conflict. Borna confronted the 24-year-old Frenchman Arthur Bouquier within the title conflict.

The extra skilled participant delivered a 6-4, 6-4 victory in an hour and 41 minutes for his fifth Challenger title and the second in as many weeks. Coric claimed 12 factors greater than Bouquier and sealed the deal in straight units.

Borna Coric, 2025 Thionville Challenger© Stream screenshot

The Croat grabbed the ultimate three video games of the opener and erased a 3-0 deficit in set quantity two to emerge on the high. Arthur performed higher behind the primary serve however struggled on the second. The house participant confronted 11 break factors and gave serve away 3 times.

Borna denied 5 of six break factors, overcoming an early deficit within the second set and transferring excessive. The Croat missed break possibilities firstly of the match. He saved a break level at 2-3 and stepped in on the return at 4-4.

Bouquier hit a double fault to lose serve and fall behind. Coric served for the set at 5-4 and fired a service winner, bringing the opener dwelling in 42 minutes. Arthur saved break factors firstly of the second set and held after deuces.

The Frenchman delivered his solely break within the second recreation after a wild forehand from his rival. Borna confronted extra points at 0-3. He saved 4 break factors within the fourth recreation and remained in competition. The highest seed made a push on the return at 1-3.

He landed a backhand down the road winner on the web and pulled the break again. Coric held at love for 3-3 and delivered a break at love within the subsequent one following the rival’s wayward forehand. The Croat closed the eighth recreation after a deuce and moved 5-3 in entrance.

Arthur served to remain within the match in recreation 9 and saved two match factors with service winners. He held, however Borna served for the title at 5-4. The highest seed landed a service winner on a match level, sealing the deal and lifting a trophy.