Milos Raonic downs Tommy Haas to retain the title in San Jose – Tennis News
World number 14, Milos Raonic, clubbed the third straight title at San Jose on Sunday at the expense of the 18th ranked German, Tommy Haas, who tried his best but all in vain. The Canadian top seeded youngster rounded
off the final edition of the second oldest competition in the men’s category that is to be dropped from the ATP schedule from 2014. The 22-year-old Raonic clasped the victory in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
Saddened by the fact that San Jose tournament will not be in the schedule of ATP from 2014, Raonic said, “I'm really sad to see it go. It was a got to be a part of my schedule and it's really unfortunate I won't get the chance
to play it again.”
Commenting about his performance, he added, “I'm a much better player in general and a better competitor and I have more experience in knowing how to deal with situations.”
Hass praised the game play of his opponent and stated,
“If he plays like that consistently, on this type of surface, in this arena, take anybody at the top of the world and I would say he's got a shot at beating them. I didn't play a bad match. I just came up against a guy who played some unbelievable
tennis.”
The 34-year-old German was under the cosh from the word go. He dropped a serve game early in the opening phase of the match and couldn’t recover from that starting blow. He played quite well in the second set; kept the scores level
for the first six games but couldn’t handle the heat from that point onwards. Raonic won two back-to-back breakpoints to write-off the German veteran from the contest. It was always on the cards considering the successive tight serve holds for Haas prior to
the two breakthroughs.
The tournament dates back to 1889 when the first edition was played in San Jose. So, it will always contain a special importance in the history books. Tony Robert was the last player who won the SAP Open for three times in a row,
way back in 1953-55. The Canadian is the first one to accomplish that goal after him and will be the last one as well.
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