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Coric had a good start of his favorite tournament

The Croat was happy with the way he played, and especially with his forehand and serve in the important moments. Bedene defeated Delic, but he is now facing a better and more dangerous Croat

Borna Coric comes to Umag every year with greater expectations. That means the Croat is developing as a player and improving. Right now his ranking is the best of his career, he is the 36th player in the world and a Croat from whom the most is expected at Umag. That puts a pressure on him, but pressure is something he always reacted well to, and he has shown that in the first round match against Granollers. 

He took the first break in the third game, and the next few games decided the first set. After that break, Borna saved 15-40 and three break points in the fourth game, and then another one in the sixth. He saved four break points by playing great, he served well when needed which helped him and he finished the first set with another break. 

The second set started with Granollers' break 1-2*, but the Spaniard failed to confirm the break. That was the key. After that, we haven't seen a break point until 4-3*, after which Borna had 00-40 at return. He didn't use two break points, but he used the third one and calmly served for the win. 

- I played a good match, especially because it was the first one. The situation is more demanding then it was last year, the pressure is greater and I am the favorite right from the start. I am pleased with my forehand the most, but I served well too, especially in the important moment - said Borna. 

Granollers was a bit too aggressive and reckless at times. In the first set he insisted on drop shots, for which he was punished, and he often came to the net which is never a great idea in Umag's slow conditions. Borna, on the other hand, played, as he put it - good. The impression is that he added weight to his strokes, and forehand and serve, for which many said were his weak links, might have been crucial against Granollers. 

Either way, a good start for the young Croat, but precisely because of that start, the expectations are now greater. 

- I know I can defeat any player here, but I can also lose. I am trying to separate myself from the expectations of the media. When someone tells me 50 times that I have to defeat Granollers, of course that will enter my subconsciousness, but I'm trying to shut myself off - said Borna, who will be facing Bedene in the second round. 

- I watched him against Mate, he served well. His footwork is great, he doesn't miss a lot and I have a difficult match ahead of me. People see me as the favorite again, but I don't think it will be easy. I actually think I will have to play even better than against Granollers. 

Bedene came here in fine form. The last tournament he played was the challenger in Todi, and he won it. So rhythm is not a problem for him. It was actually a problem for his opponent - Mate Delic. The Croat is in bad form, he won only five matches this season, and it was clear that the Croatian player had no chance to win that match. Not with the level of tennis he has been displaying this year.

Right at the start, Aljaz sent a message and took a 2-0 lead. But he failed to confirm the break, so Mate made a comeback. Until he had to serve to stay in the match in the 10th game. That's when he lost his serve and the first set which left a mark on him. In the second set, Aljaz took a 4-1 lead, with four saved break points in the fifth game and there were no more chances for Delic. 

- I am happy I won in Umag, one of my favorite tournaments of the year. I am going into the next round - said Bedene.

Realistically, the British could have played better in this match. He allowed seven break points and he didn't look as convincingly as other did against Delic lately. Truth be told, this is ATP level and Mate probably left more than he had on the home court, but we expect a slightly more convincing win by Aljaz. But that doesn't matter now, all that matters is that he is in the second round and that he is facing another Croat. A better one this time, more dangerous and in better form. 

Borna's approach and motivation in Umag are the key for any bet on him. He has demonstrated both in the first round against Granollers, his serve and forehand were great and he played great in the key moments. Bedene has enough quality to compete with Borna, but mentally he is nowhere near as strong as him and he usually plays below his abilities. Since he changed nationality, he has been more confident and plays better, but that's far from the level necessary to win today. He has shown a lot of weaknesses and insecurities against Delic, and those should be present even if he plays more relaxed. Borna is in better form, and as I mentioned earlier, his approach and motivation are on a high level, which can't be said for Bedene. If it was played anywhere else, Borna would still be the favorite, in my opinion. The odds on Borna's win are quite good, but this handicap can work even better in three sets, even though I believe that Borna will win in straight sets without a problem. A 2-0 in sets for Borna is also not a bad option on a smaller stake. All in all, based on what he demonstrated over the last few months and in the first round, I can conclude that Borna is playing at a higher level in all parts of the game, and mental strength and desire can often be crucial (as against Larsson last week).