Milos Raonic stomps over Denis Istomin to win the title – SAP Open 2012
Canadian booming star Milos Raonic successfully defended his title at the SAP Open after dumping the Uzbekistani contender, Denis Istomin, in straight sets on Sunday. He clobbered a 7-6(3), 6-2 victory over the 25-year-old to grab his third career title
at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event held in San Jose, United States.
The third seed overwhelmed early resilience posed by the Uzbek to manipulate a straight set victory in an hour and 19-minutes battle. Meeting for the second time, Raonic not only maintained his winning record against the Moscow resident but also became the
first person to clinch two ATP World Tour titles.
"I think I served pretty flawlessly throughout the week," the delighted Canadian said after the match. "I feel like I’m a much better tennis player than I was last year. I feel last year I was sort of playing probably higher than my potential. This year,
I felt like I came in a much better player and I played well.”
Raonic and Istomin displayed their best tennis in the opening set and smoothly plucked in their respective serves, subsequently dragging the set to a tie-breaker. However, the higher ranked proved his class in it and cruised to a 6-1 lead. He eventually
clinched the opener with a 7-6(3) score line.
The 21-year-old improved his form in the following set and after cashing in both break chances, he bagged the set by winning six games to two. Raonic produced a poor first serve share of 47 percent as compared to the Uzbek’s 63 percent but clinched a perfect
win on it. He held entire serves without facing any barrier and smashed three vicious aces to prevail.
Overall, the unseeded Istomin manipulated a lower first serve share of 59 percent as opposed to Raonic’s 63 percent. He won only four out 48 points on his returns and finished the match with 44 points.
"I won just four points on his serve, which makes it very difficult to win the match. I knew he was a great server and a good player. It’s very difficult to return," Istomin was quoted later.
The Canadian youngster is enjoying a tremendous start of the season. He breezed past his rivals at the Aircel Chennai Open, an ATP event held in the first week of January, to lift his maiden year-to-date title. Raonic then made a third round showing at the
Australian Open and trashed French Julien Benneteau in the Davis Cup before entering this tournament.
Tags: