Milos’ Olympics are over… but not without a fight! « Milos Raonic

31Jul/12Off

Milos’ Olympics are over… but not without a fight!

Tsonga outlasts Raonic in record-setting second-round match

What an amazing end to Milos' second round match with Joe Wilfred Tsonga. Both players showed immense skill, determination, and endurance. Both player's had an excellent attitude throughout the marathon match and their smiles at the end showed just how enjoyable it was for them.

Apparently it wasn't the longest match in Olympic history, as CTV tweeted that their research dept found that a match in 1920 lasted over 6 hours. It was the most games in a set though, with the third set going the distance. Final: 3-6, 6-3, 23-25.

Many commentators, bloggers, commentors on blogs, etc. have been saying that Milos needs more experience in long, 5-set matches; that he needs more rallies in competition versus top-10 playersl; and, that he needs more time playing on grass, in order to unleash his obviously potential on this surface. Well it looks like that's not a problem anymore!

Bravo Milos, good job. You've made Canada proud! Congrats on an amazing match that us Canadian Tennis fans won't forget (and there's always 4 years from now- can't wait)!

--wacb

P.S. As I didn't get to watch the entire match, I'd be interested to hear comments from you all out there. I'll "feature" the good ones in updates to this post.

Posted by wacb

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Tomaso
August 4th, 2012 - 16:30

Great performance from Milos at the Olympics! Moving forward, the draw is out (Aug.4) for Toronto, and it’s “mixed” for Milos: good news of course is that Milos is (just barely!) seeded, will have a bye first round, then meet either Bogomolov or Troicki second round; bad news is that he’ll then meet Andy Murray third round. But who knows! Looking forward to (at least) a couple of good matches!
- wacb
  August 4th, 2012 - 22:07
  
  I’m surprised, with Andy Murray playing in the final at the olympics, that he hasn’t pulled out. It would suck for fans like me, but I expect he will pull out if it’s a long, hard match with Federer. Federer announced that he was pulling out yesterday, Nadal’d already pulled out…
  
  It’s good for Milos of course, with Ferrer, Nadal, and Federer out, and as you mentioned, it gets him a bye.
  
  I have tickets for every evening during the week as well as all QF matches on Friday and Saturday eveining’s semi, plus the final on Sunday. Would be amazing to see Raonic get past that 3rd round match and make it deep into Canada’s tournament! It would even compensate for not getting to see Federer!!!
Robert
August 1st, 2012 - 20:04

I just saw a short extract of the match. Milos smile in defeat is so great, impossible not to love him for that ! Greatest tennis tradition of sportsmanship, so often forgotten nowadays ! The match point is great too even if Tsonga wins the exchange, as, of course, some aces. You can find on YT, but be quiet, Olympics are rather touchy on unofficial broadcasts.
TOM
July 31st, 2012 - 20:44

What a year for Milos.
Going toe to toe with Fed in their two meetings-beating Murray-making Olympic history with this epic 25 23 final set against Tsonga.
What this all has proven to me is that when Milos is playing well in my opinion he is playing at the caliblre of a top 5 player.
The little difference is Milos’s converting on 2 or 3 crucial points in the matches he has lost which is the difference in winning and losing at this highest level of tennis.
Of course if Milos is not playing his best and his opponent is playing in a zone he can lose to much lesser ranked oponents.
Thank you Milos for treating us to some outstanding tennis so far this year and probably one of the finest exhibitions of serving center court Olympics at Wimbeldon has ever seen.
What a tremendous future you have and I as I’m sure most Canadians are very proud to be following your progress.
All the best for the rest of the year Milos.

Loyal Fan Tom
Robert
July 31st, 2012 - 19:40

Just from scoring & comments, I must say. Milos has the mental attitude to win a major ! His serve is obviously a great weapon. He had four break points he might have converted in the third set. Well, it had to finish and so it did, but with flying colours for Milos ! I was rooting for him, but i think both players deserve a standing ovation ! As always, Milos so sportsmanlike at the end of the match.
Samantha Chapman
July 31st, 2012 - 15:42

Hi, my name is Samantha I am a 12 year old and I live in Edmonton Alberta. I love tennis and I am out on the court practicing my game every single day. I love the sport but, sadly in Canada there are not a lot of players. Thanks to Milo’s Raonic and all of our other Canadian players tennis is slowly becoming more popular.

My dreams are hopefully to follow in the steps of Milos Raonic and have the honor of representing Canada in the Olympics in 2016.

I hope that after Milos’s incredible last match against Tsonga he is very happy with his performance. As I was watching I could see Tsonga’s frustration growing hugely extremely quickly. By the way that was an amazing 222 kilometer per hour serve. Milos is my favorite player and I am very proud to be a Canadian tennis player. His performance always exceeds the level of excellence. Go Canada Go!
- Tomaso
  August 4th, 2012 - 16:40
  
  Great to hear that Milos’ success is helping to inspire you, Samantha! And remember, that’s a two-way street: part of Milos’ motivation is to serve as a role-model for younger players, so make sure you keep him (and us!) posted on your progress. Congratulations, by the way, on winning the under-15 division at Capilano last week!