Milos Raonic brushes aside Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo in the opening round – French Open 2012
Canada’s rising sensation, Milos Raonic, took off with a brilliant start, toppling Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo of Spain in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round at the French Open in Paris on Monday.
Raonic and Ramirez-Hidalgo made a steady start, as they did not allow each other to claim a break in the opening eight games, squaring off the score at 4-4. Raonic hit a blow to the Spaniard in the ninth and held his following
serve to capture it 6-4.
The Canadian pounded three aces but also committed two double faults in the opener. He had a below average first serve percentage of 55 but a very good conversion rate, as he clinched 15 of the 18 points on them.
Raonic attained lead straightaway in the second set, as he snatched a break in the opening game and consolidated on it to move ahead 2-0. The Canadian struck again in the fifth game and capitalised on the double advantage, closing
it 6-2.
The 6ft 5in tall bombarded seven aces and committed only one double fault in the second set. The Monte-Carlo, Monaco resident put away the only break threat he came across and utilised both of his own opportunities.
Raonic came roaring in the final set, as he clinched first four games to take a 4-0 lead. Ramirez-Hidalgo did not even come near of making a comeback and lost it 2-6.
The Canadian faced problem while putting in his first serves, keeping the percentage on just 30 but he succeeded in claiming five of the six points on them. He played brilliantly at the net, winning five of the six points.
Raonic said, “I’ve lost here twice first round — last year quite a disappointing one. I haven’t played for two weeks. I didn’t know what to expect. I was practising well, but last year I practised well and didn’t play a good match
at all. So I really went into it cautiously and sort of tried to connect a few things. “
He added, “One thing that I’ve changed this year — I don’t do it a lot — but I still stay in games after 40-love. Last year, especially returning, I would pretty much just go for a crazy shot. If I got that point, the next point
maybe I would start trying.”
The Canadian is slated to face American contender, Jesse Levine, in the second round.
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