Milos Raonic retains Canada’s World Group Status – Davis Cup WG Play-off 2012
Canadian star, Milos Raonic, showed exceptional skills to triumph over South Africa’s Izak Van Der Merwe in straight sets at the Davis Cup WG Play-off 2012 on Sunday. He notched up a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory to give his side an assuring 3-1 lead against the
visiting nation and subsequently secured their world group status.
The Canadian number one got the better of the world number 191 in one hour and 45 minutes. He not only stole the limelight at his home soil and avenged his loss at the Sacramento Challenger three years ago.
"I came out and did a lot of things well and played on my terms and did what I wanted to do," Raonic said.
Van Der Merwe reflected in a post match press conference:
"It doesn't inspire confidence when you lose your serve in the very first game. He hit a great shot to break me there so he really stepped up his game today and played well, and he deserved to win."
Raonic stepped into the Uniprix Stadium in Montreal with self-assurance. He fired exquisite shots and with the help of two breaks of serve, the Canadian pulled out the opener with a 6-2 score line.
Standing at career high rank at 15th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Raonic went out of control in the following set. He went on a four-game killing spree before Van Der Merwe could hold on. The Canadian easily held his remaining
serves and consequently clicked the set with a 6-2 win.
The 21-year-old maintained consistency in his game in the set number three. He got the coveted break in the third game and jumped to a 3-1 lead. Raonic swiped his remaining serves and eventually clinched the set with a 6-4 score line.
The booming Canadian commented about getting back in the World Group:
"…getting another shot. I'd like to play at home so it doesn't matter who," Raonic said. "I think that I play well here and I think we can play well here."
In the fifth rubber, Frank Dancevic tumbled Nikala Scholtz in straight sets. As a result, Canada recorded an assuring 4-1 victory over South Africa and secured their place in the World Group.
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