MILOS RAONIC BEATS THE GREAT FRENCH TENNIS ACROBAT GAEL MONFILS IN THE 2016 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Written by: Staff on 27th January 2016

MILOS RAONIC BEATS THE GREAT FRENCH TENNIS ACROBAT GAEL MONFILS IN THE 2016 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

epa05128928 Milos Raonic of Canada plays a shot against Gael Monfils of France during their quarter final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2016. EPA/MADE NAGI EDITORIAL USE ONLY |

He has been a trailblazer for Canadian tennis throughout his career and Milos Raonic carved out another slice of history for his country on Wednesday night in Melbourne as he became the first Canadian man to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.

The Toronto native defeated Gael Monfils 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to set a semi-final clash with Andy Murray, who earlier beat David Ferrer.

Raonic has a 3-3 FedEx ATP Head2Head record against Murray, beating the two-time Grand Slam champion most recently in Indian Wells two years ago. Raonic holds a 19-41 record against Top 10 opposition, claiming his 19th win last weekend when he beat Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

The 25-year-old Raonic is bidding to reach his first Grand Slam final, to play the winner of Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer. The right-hander played his first major semi-final two years ago at Wimbledon, falling to Federer.

“It’s a very positive thing if you look at the big picture,” said Raonic. “Right now in this moment alone it’s a great opportunity for me. I had a little bit of a disappointing semi-final two years ago, and sort of just want to change that story around and give myself another go with more experience and where I feel like I’m a better player than I was two years ago.”

Having lost his only two meetings with Monfils, Raonic stepped out under a closed roof on the Rod Laver Arena with intent. The calmer of the two in the early exchanges, Raonic benefitted from tentative play by Monfils in the fourth game to break for a 3-1 lead. It was all the Toronto native needed to wrap up the first set in 35 minutes.

Monfils raised his level in the second set, though, and was rewarded with a service break in the sixth game. The Frenchman then saved a break point in the ninth game before holding on to level the match.

Gael Monfils of France plays a return against Milos Raonic of Canada during their quarter final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2016. EPA/LUKAS COCH

Raonic struck immediately in the third set and his early break proved decisive as he went on to reclaim the lead in the contest. A break in the fifth game of the fourth set put the Canadian well on his way to claiming victory in two hours and 17 minutes, having hit 46 winners to 35 unforced errors.

“I felt good, especially that I took care of the things I need to take care of,” said Raonic. “I was dictating I felt most of the time. I was hitting my shots well. I was quite efficient off the baseline. When I had the chance, I came forward. Closed shots off there.

“Maybe I was a little bit passive in the second set, but in the third I sort of turned that around for the better. Could have been a little bit maybe more forthcoming in the fourth as well, but I have to be happy with the way I dealt with things, how I played, and how I backed up the performance from two days ago.”

Raonic is currently on a nine-match winning streak, having opened his 2016 ATP World Tour campaign with victory over Federer in the Brisbane final.

Monfils was bidding to reach his first major semi-final since a final four showing at Roland Garros eight years ago (l. to Federer). The Frenchman has not defeated a Top 20 player at a Grand Slam since the 2014 US Open (d. Dimitrov in R4).

“I think I showed quality and strength in this tournament, and I have a strong belief that I will keep going this season like this,” said Monfils. “He played good. Very aggressive. But it was not a bad match from me. Happy I have been improving to play him next time.”

( Courtesy of the ATP and Original Link – http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/raonic-monfils-2016-australian-open-quarterfinals )