World No. 152 Croatian Ćorić became the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters 1000 title after beating fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6, 6-2.
The win gave Ćorić the first Masters 1000 title of his career – losing his only previous Masters 1000 final to Novak Djokovic in 2018 – and marked a triumphant return after a difficult year.
Ćorić, previously ranked at No. 12 in the world, missed much of 2021 with a shoulder injury and fell down the rankings but will now rise to No. 29 in the world thanks to his win.
The 25-year-old was certainly destined to earn his title as well, having to beat Rafael Nadal, Roberto Bautista Agut, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Cameron Norrie en route to the final.
“Thanks to my parents who are not here, my sister and my team,” Ćorić said in his interview in court, per ATP. “It was very tough for us.
“I wouldn’t be on the pitch with my physiotherapist if I didn’t have him. Then of course to my tennis coach Mate. We worked very hard and now we are here.”
In the women’s final, Garcia became the first qualifier to win a WTA 1000 title thanks to her 6-2, 6-4 win over two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova.
After battling through qualifying, Garcia had to beat Maria Sakkari, Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula – all in the top 10 in the world – to reach the finals.
The win in Cincinnati is Garcia’s third WTA 1000 title of his career – and 10th overall – and the win takes her from 35th in the world to 17th.
“Pure joy… just luck,” Garcia told reporters, according to the WTA. “Every single win is very important. Every title is very special, 250, 1000, it’s always very difficult to describe. It doesn’t happen that often and you really have to enjoy it.
“I’m really thankful for this great week of tennis and to win another title is very special. Every match, every day was a new day, a new challenge. Every time I had to focus on myself, on my game, what can I do, how can I become more aggressive, how can I improve.
“Just one day in a row I ended up in the final here today and now I’m lifting the trophy.”