Milos Raonic – Canada Fan Blog an (unofficial) blog about tennis and Canadian player Milos Raonic

The Raonic / Verdasco Saga: Part 4 – Fernando Strikes Back

Fernando Verdasco defeated Milos Raonic at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, 6-4 6-4.

Milos wasn't serving well to start the match. The first serve % was low and he was having a tough time winning points off his second serve. Raonic faced 4 break points against him in the first game alone before he was able to hold. The opposite was true for Verdasco, who was serving lights out. With Milos serving at 1-1, Verdasco earned two more break chances and converted on the second one to take the early lead. Toward the end of the set, Raonic settled down and was having an easier time holding his serve. But he was still down a break when Verdasco was serving for the set at 5-4. Verdasco didn't give Raonic any chance of getting back on serve and held comfortably to take the set. Milos hit only 3 aces during the set.

The serve was looking much better for Milos to open the second set, but Verdasco was still contesting every point. But Raonic's serve would drop off again in his next game, resulting in Verdasco getting the break and a 2-1 lead. Things weren't looking good for Milos at this point. Raonic had an opportunity to turn things around with Verdasco serving at 3-2, but was unable to convert on break point. Verdasco continued to serve well throughout the set and never allowed Raonic to have an easy service game.

The single break of serve in Verdasco's favour proved to be the difference in the second set, just as it was in the first. It just wasn't Raonic's day. With the win, Verdasco levels his head-to-head record against Raonic at 2-2. The Saga continues...

That's two weeks in a row that Milos has had tough opening round matches in ATP 1000 events. Despite going out in the first round in Madrid and Rome, he's had an impressive clay court season. As far as I'm concerned, he's exceeded expectations. Let's not forget, Roland-Garros is just around the corner.

Now time to focus my attention on the rest of the Nadal / Djokovic final in Madrid...

-multi

Raonic loses to Lopez in Madrid Open

Feliciano Lopez defeated Milos Raonic in the first round of the Mutua Madrid Open, 4-6 7-6(2) 6-3.

Milos Raonic came into Madrid ranked #25 in the world, coming off his semi-final run at the Estoril Open. But his ranking didn't prevent him from being dealt a less than favourable draw, having to face Feliciano Lopez (ESP) in the first round in front of a Spanish audience. And let's not forget who looms largely in the second round... some guy named Roger Federer.

It was clear early on that Raonic's serve was going to make a huge difference in the match. The first serve percentage was very high (in the 70s range), which was much better than we've seen in matches over the last couple of weeks. On top of that, Milos racked up a whopping 11 aces in the first set alone. Those are indoor hardcourt numbers, reminiscent of San Jose and Memphis! Raonic didn't face any break points in the opening set, and only needed to convert one point to break Lopez and take the set in just 30 minutes.

It was the same story in the second. Raonic was serving phenomenally. The aces kept coming, and the first serves were making it difficult for Lopez to work his way into Milos' service games. Lopez won the majority of the points off Raonic's second serve. But there wasn't a break point to be seen throughout most of the set. Serving at 4-5, Raonic hit a benchmark with his 20th ace of the match. On the hardcourts earlier this year, this usually meant that Raonic would end up winning the match behind his dominating serve.

At 5-6, Raonic held at love to forec a tiebreak to decide the second set. Lopez earned a mini-break on Milos' first point, but Raonic recovered nicely and followed that up by hitting an ace. But Lopez rallied, and won the tiebreak 7-2. This one was going the distance.

Lopez kept on rolling, breaking Raonic to open the third set. Raonic got all of his first serves in that game, but Lopez was apparently not phased by this. In his next service game, Raonic was again flawless on his first serves and would hold easily this time around. Milos was unable to get back on serve, however, failing to convert the only break chance he earned against Lopez in the third set. Lopez picked up his game and raised his first serve percentage, riding the single break to a 6-4 win.

The back injury that forced Raonic to retire from his semi-final match at the Estoril Open didn't seem to be bothering him today, as evidenced by the soaring ace count and accurate first serves. Perhaps this had something to do with playing at altitude in Madrid. This was a tight, high quality match from both players who each dropped serve only once. The tiebreak in the second proved to be the difference, and it was a surprise that Milos lost it considering how well he was serving.

I guess we will have to wait a little longer for a Raonic / Federer match. Perhaps they'll meet in a major this year...

But if it's any consolation, Verdasco is out of Madrid as well. He lost to Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) in straight sets by a narrow margin. Now we're looking forward to see Raonic play doubles with Almagro against Verdasco / Lopez.

-multi