Super Bol ends super-long slump against top 10 opponents by beating Raonic
History did not bode well for Simone Bolelli heading into Thursday’s daunting test against Milos Raonic in the second round of the Open 13. Bolelli had lost the first 35 matches of his career against top-10 opponents.
But he is 0-35 no more. Nor he is 0-36. Bolelli picked up his first-ever top-10 win by upsetting Raonic 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3) to reach the Marseille quarterfinals. The Italian saved the only break point in the third set to force a tiebreaker, which he dominated in surprising fashion by earning two mini-breaks and winning all five of his service points.
Raonic fired 21 aces compared to just one double-fault and he won 88 percent of his first-serve points, but he could fight off the lone break point he faced and he converted only one of eight break-point opportunities.
“There were many close games, but I couldn’t make the most of my chances,” the world No. 6 lamented. “I served better as the match went on, but he made it through when it mattered the most.”
Bolelli posted the following on Twitter: “Very happy for the win of today! [Thanks] to everyone for support me!!! Tomorrow another chance!”
Another one of the most in-form players on tour right now is Donald Young, who will also get another chance tomorrow. Young, a semifinalist last week in Memphis, booked a spot in the Delray Beach quarters with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Alejandro Gonzalez on Thursday.
The 56th-ranked American trailed by a break early in the first set but dominated the rest of the way. Young awaits either Alexandr Dolgopolov or Tim Smyczek.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.
Topics: Alejandro Gonzalez, Atp, Delray Beach Open, Donald Young jr, milos raonic, Ricky Dimon, Simone Bolelli, Tennis News
-@Dimonator LOOKS @ @milosraonic’s LOSS AS WELL AS @DonaldYoungUSA JR. WIN OVER GONZALEZ IN #DelrayBeachOpen- http://t.co/WoKnbFSPNZ #tennis