Andy Murray ousts Canadian Milos Raonic at U.S. Open
3rd September 2012
Milos Raonic’s best just wasn’t good enough against Olympic champion Andy Murray.
The native of Thornhill, Ont., lost to Murray 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 on Monday in the fourth round of the U.S. Open.
“It was a tough match, he was just too good,” said Raonic. “I was never comfortable and he played extremely well. This was a big loss, I really gave everything out there and I’ve never felt such a defeat.”
Murray stayed on the right course to bid for his maiden Grand Slam title after flashing past the 21-year-old in their second meeting. After stealing the show in exactly two hours, the Scot avenged his loss at the Barcelona Open Sabadell against Raonic and cruised into the quarter-finals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
The world number four stated in a courtside interview after the match:
“I knew going into the match that I was going to have to return well. And then I also had to stay extremely focussed and give as few points as possible on my serve away. He was always going to come up with some big returns or come to net a couple of times, get me in tough positions on my serve. But I passed really well tonight when I needed to. Kind of made him back away from the net. I had to play extremely solid, and I did that.”
The 25-year-old stepped into the Arthur Ashe Stadium in high spirits. He swiftly pocketed his entire serves without facing any real challenge availed one out of four break chances in the ninth game to click the opener with a 6-4 win.
Seeded third in this event, Murray carried his rhythm in the follow-up set. He was again never threatened with any breakpoint and cashed in one out of five break opportunities in the fifth game to pull out the set with a 6-4 score line.
In the third set, Murray’s skills were fully polished. He smoothly plucked his entire serves without facing any hindrance and broke the Canadian’s serve twice to carve out the victory with a 6-2 success.
Next in queue for the British number one is the 12th seed, Marin Cilic, who crushed Slovakia's Martin Klizan with a bagel to set up this battle.