Milos
Raonic secured an incredible victory over world No. 10 Frances Tiafoe,
advancing to the second round of the National Bank Canadian Open in Toronto
There was
great anticipation for Raonic's return to the Masters 1000, where he is a local
favorite. The former world No. 3 is an idol of Canadian tennis, and after two
years away from the forefront of the global tennis scene due to injury
setbacks, Raonic is gradually striving to compete at his best level once again.
Tiafoe
didn't come with the best confidence after falling in the quarterfinals of the
Washington Open, a tournament where he was playing on home soil and entered as
the second seed. Despite two solid victories over Aslan Karatsev and Shang
Juncheng, Dan Evans stood in his way, ultimately claiming the title.
The first
set started in the worst possible way for the Canadian, losing his serve
quickly and giving an advantage to his opponent. Tiafoe led 5-3 at one point
but couldn't seal the set, losing his service to love in the tenth game,
leading to a dramatic tie-break.
A
controversial end to the set unfolded on the central court in Toronto. The
tie-break extended to 12-12 without either player conceding a service point
until Raonic was the first to make an error.
Tiafoe had
a set point with his serve, and during the exchange, a forehand from Raonic
fell very close to the net. With a tremendous effort, Tiafoe reached the ball
and managed to hit it over the net but touched the net.
The umpire
awarded the point to the American player, ruling that he touched the net in the
doubles court area, which wouldn't result in a fault. This situation sparked a
heated debate, and the supervisor was called to resolve the call. However, the
umpire upheld the decision, and 'Big-Foe' claimed the set.
In the
second set, both players continued to dominate their serves, and without any
break points played, they pushed the set to another tie-break. This time, both
players dropped service points, and Raonic gained an advantage to level the
match.
In an epic
third set, the former world No. 3 fought valiantly, reminiscent of his prime
moments. Despite facing six break points throughout the set, he didn't concede
to any of them. Raonic gained an early lead in the set, going up 3-0, and
maintained that advantage until the end of the match, securing his first
victory at the Canadian Open since 2019.
In the
second round, he will face Japanese player Taro Daniel, who advanced from the
qualifying rounds and surprised the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the first
round.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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