France’s Lucas Pouille had never won a match at the Australian Open before this year, but the 28th seed Monday reached the quarter-final after beating Borna Coric 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/2).
The 22-year-old 11th seed from Croatia took a tight first set on a tiebreak that hinged on a couple of points before Pouille responded.
Tenacious 24-year-old Pouille, who endured a Saturday night third round epic against Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin before coming through in five sets, goes on to meet 16th seed Milos Raonic for a place in the semi-finals.
“It feels great to come through against Borna who is one of the best players in the world, †said Pouille whose best previous Grand Slam performance was reaching the quarter-finals at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2016.
“It all hinged on a few points here and there,†Pouille added of his first victory in three Tour level matches against the former world junior number one who reached a career-high 12th in the world in November.
“Even though I never won a match here before this year I always enjoyed playing here. Atmosphere is great, amazing, electric. That’s why they call it the Happy Slam.â€
Pouille has played Raonic on three previous occasions and is yet to beat the big-serving Canadian.
Their last meeting was at Stuttgart on grass last year
“It was a close match in Stuttgart, †said Pouille of the encounter which he lost 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).
“It’s going to be tough one but I’ll be ready for it and I’ll be trying to reach my first Grand Slam semi-final.â€
(AFP)
