Milos Raonic surprises Nicolas Almagro in the third round – Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 2012
World number 25, Milos Raonic of Canada, continued on his impressive clay court run, as he upset sixth seed, Nicolas Almagro, in twin sets 6-3, 6-3 in the round of 16 at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Thursday.
Raonic and Almagro failed to break each other in the first six games of the opening set, equalising the score at 3-3. The Canadian won three successive games after that, closing it 6-3.
The 21-year-old pounded five aces and 75 percent of the first deliveries in the opener, claiming 14 of the 18 points on them. He grabbed half of the points on the second serves and returns, pocketing three of the six and six of
the 12 on them respectively. The Canadian saved both of the break points he faced and converted the two he received.
In the second set, Raonic and Almagro held their serve in the first five games, taking the score to 3-2 in former’s favour. The Canadian captured breakthrough in the sixth and capitalized on it to triumph 6-3.
Raonic banged in two aces and 54 percent of the first serves in the second set. The Thornhill, Canada resident had an extraordinary conversion rate, as he secured 10 of the 13 first and 10 of the 11 second delivery points. The
6ft 5in tall did not give Almagro any chance to break and succeeded in availing the only one he got.
The Canadian, seeded 11th in the draw, needed just an hour and eight minutes to beat Almagro.
Raonic missed most of the clay court season last year due to injury. He was jubilant because of this season’s performance, as he said, “This was probably my best win on clay. There’s been a big change for me this week. I’m very
proud of my play today, and I’m progressing well ... Before the first round, I was feeling quite miserable about my game. I had trained well but didn’t do so well last week. I was having trouble getting some things together. But I’ve been able to pick it up
in my last two matches.”
The right-hander added, “I’m hitting and moving well and that makes the difference in my game. I’m taking a lot of confidence into the quarterfinals.”
The Canadian is slated to play second seed, Andy Murray of Great Britain, in the last eight. Murray crushed Santiago Giraldo of Colombia in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 in the third round.
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