Stan is nobody’s stepping stone or is he?

Stan Wawrinka vs. Borna Coric

A lot of experts have tabbed Coric for big things.  He has played pretty well over 18 months.  Facing Stan Wawrinka in the Chennai final should be a good measuring stick for the young Croatian.  Stan leads their head-to-head 2-0 with a straight set win last year in Chennai sticking out to me.  The two battled for 3 sets in Cincinnati last year as well.

What I Expect to Happen

Coric has a chance, but he is decidedly the underdog.  Stan apparently loves this event having won Chennai 2014 and 2015.  More importantly, Stan’s game has more heft than the 19-year-old’s game does at this point.  Coric will need to take care of his serve and hit heavy shots to win this match.  I think he is capable of doing that, but I doubt he does it often enough to upend the ever dangerous Swiss shot-maker.

My Prediction: Stan Wawrinka d. Borna Coric 6-4, 6-3