World no. 120 Borna Coric claimed his second Challenger title in as many weeks! The former world no. 12 conquered Lugano last week and lifted another trophy on Sunday in Thionville. Thus, the Croat extended his streak and moved one good result away from the top-100 return.
Coric has been struggling on the ATP level for a couple of years. The former Masters 1000 champion claimed back-to-back wins at only three ATP tournaments since August 2023. Borna’s start of the 2025 campaign was also slow.
He came to Lugano with four straight losses before lifting two Challenger crowns for a boost of confidence ahead of his upcoming challenges.
What’s next for Borna Coric? 🔥
✅ March 2: Lugano 🏆
✅ March 9: Thionville 🏆#ATPChallenger | @borna_coric pic.twitter.com/df6bx4afDS— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 9, 2025
Coric entered Thionville as the top seed and extended his winning streak on an indoor hard court. The Croat ousted Paul Jubb 6-2, 6-1 in 70 minutes in the first round. Emil Ruusuvuori retired in the second round while trailing 6-2, 2-2, propelling Borna into the quarter-final after 65 minutes.
Aziz Dougaz stood no chance against the former world no. 12 in the last eight. Borna earned a 6-4, 6-2 win in 69 minutes, dropping seven points in his games and moving over the top with three breaks on his tally. The 7th seed Alibek Kachmazov fought well against the top seed.
Borna Coric & Arthur Bouquier, 2025 Thionville Challenger© Stream screenshot
Kachamoz took the only set away from Coric during the fortnight, but the Croat prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 17 minutes for a place in the title clash. Borna faced the 24-year-old Frenchman Arthur Bouquier in the title clash.
The more experienced player 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 points more than Bouquier and sealed the deal in straight sets.
Borna Coric, 2025 Thionville Challenger© Stream screenshot
The Croat grabbed the final three games of the opener and erased a 3-0 deficit in set number two to emerge at the top. Arthur played better behind the first serve but struggled on the second. The home player faced 11 break points and gave serve away three times.
Borna denied five of six break points, overcoming an early deficit in the second set and moving over the top. The Croat missed break chances at the beginning of the match. He saved a break point at 2-3 and stepped in on the return at 4-4.
Arthur Bouquier, 2025 Thionville Challenger© Stream screenshot
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 home in 42 minutes. Arthur saved break points at the beginning of the second set and held after deuces.
The Frenchman delivered his only break in the second game after a wild forehand from his rival. Borna faced more issues at 0-3. He saved four break points in the fourth game and remained in contention. The top seed made a push on the return at 1-3.
Borna Coric, 2025 Thionville Challenger© Stream screenshot
He landed a backhand down the line winner at the net and pulled the break back. Coric held at love for 3-3 and delivered a break at love in the next one following the rival’s wayward forehand. The Croat closed the eighth game after a deuce and moved 5-3 in front.
Arthur served to stay in the match in game nine and saved two match points with service winners. He held, but Borna served for the title at 5-4. The top seed landed a service winner on a match point, sealing the deal and lifting a trophy.
Tennis World USA