Milos Raonic matched his career high in the ATP rankings on Monday by rising to sixth after his first victory of the year at the Washington Open, boosting his confidence ahead of the US Open.
“That number I have beside my name is no coincidence and I would not be surprised if that number gets smaller,” Raonic said.
The 23-year-old Canadian won in his first event since reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final last month at Wimbledon, in which he lost to Roger Federer and departed the court angry and frustrated at his performance.
Photo: EPA
Those feelings have sparked motivation that spurs him forward into the ATP Toronto Masters this week, with only three weeks until the start of his next Grand Slam opportunity at Flushing Meadows.
“I started taking that anger and disappointment and using it,” Raonic said. “There’s still a certain pain and discomfort. To change things around, it’s good, but there’s still a fire in me because of how I played that match.”
Raonic fired 83 aces in his title run at Washington, the lightning serves of “Supersonic Raonic” helping to humble countryman Vasek Pospisil on Sunday in the ATP’s first all-Canadian final.
“There aren’t too many solutions with his serve. I think it’s the best serve in the game right now,” Pospisil said.
Raonic mixes power and speed near that of the only men who rank ahead of him in ATP aces, Ivo Karlovic and John Isner, with the deceptive placement skills of Federer.
“He has all the serves. You can’t read his serve at all,” Pospisil said.
“You have to play the guessing game. It’s a powerful serve. You have to react. You can’t just stand there. If you do he will ace you. He’s serving very well,” he added.
However, his serve is not yet at its best, Raonic said.
“It can improve a lot more, not only the serve, but how I back the serve up,” Raonic said.
Strategy has been part of the improvements Raonic has put into his game in the past year and winning at Washington is simply the start of the payoff.
“It gives me a lot of confidence and a lot of understanding,” he said. “I’m really excited. For that to be showing up right away is great.”
Raonic says there is a great difference between the attitude he had winning other events, such as Bangkok last year, and the confidence he now enjoys.
“Now I go into every tournament for the next few months believing I can win every tournament,” he said.
“Then it had to be specific tournaments. Now I believe I can win any tournament,” Raonic said.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
KNICKS TAKE LEAD: San Antonio put on a 9-0 run to be up 95-94 with just over 2 minutes to play, but the rest of the game belonged to the New York Knicks It was past five minutes through the third quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday and the New York Knicks’ 11-game winning streak was in major jeopardy. The Knicks missed nine of their first 10 shots in the early part of the period and trailed the San Antonio Spurs by 14 points. They were floundering. Then something crazy happened. The Knicks found new life from an unlikely source: The Spurs. New York rallied to tie the game by the end of the period, gave up the lead briefly late in the fourth quarter, and pulled away late for a 105-95
RSS