Make it 22 in a row for Andy Murray.
Murray improved his winning streak to 22 matches when he defeated Milos Raonic 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open on Saturday. The world No. 2, who recently triumphed at Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics, fought off all three of the break points he faced to get the job done in only one hour and 30 minutes.
“I didn’t get broken the last couple of matches and when I was in difficult situations I made good choices,” Murray commented. “Because I’ve won a lot the last few months, that’s something that has been good–especially this week for sure. I’ve needed it to be because I haven’t been feeling perfect. I’ve managed to get through the matches pretty well.”
Cincinnati’s top seed has been getting through matches well ever since the French Open. In fact, the last time he lost was in the Roland Garros final to Novak Djokovic. Murray has since won titles at Queen’s Club, Wimbledon, and the Olympics.
Despite making a quick turnaround on the heels of his run to gold in Rio, the Scot has not come close to losing this week. Prior to rolling over Raonic, he coasted past Juan Monaco, Kevin Anderson, and Bernard Tomic in straight sets. As for Raonic, who succumbed to Murray in the Wimbledon, he never had a chance in this rematch. His normally huge serve proved to be of little resistance to Murray’s rock-solid return. The Canadian was broken three times, including at 3-5 to end the first set and at 3-4 in the second.
Murray survived a difficult service game at 5-3 to seal the deal as more rain threatened to wash out play for the remainder of the night.
“I [have] to obviously serve much better than I did today,” Raonic explained. “Today I also did a better job of creating opportunities on his serve that I didn’t make count. I had three break chances and three second serves…. I put the ball in once on second serves. That is not a formula of success by any means.”
A formula for success at the season’s final Grand Slam would have been a snagging a top four seed. With such a distinction, Raonic would have been sure to avoid Murray and Djokovic until at least the semis. By virtue of the world No. 6’s loss to Murray, Rafael Nadal will be the No. 4 seed at Flushing Meadows and Raonic–as No. 5–could potentially run into either Murray or Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
congrats, Rafa
Rafa’s postition in the ATP 52-week rolling rankings didn’t/won’t change during this week.
Wow! I didn’t know that the #4 seed for the USO was riding on this match!
Needless to say, I am happy for Rafa!
I thought Murray might have a tougher time against Raonic, but it didn’t turn out that way. The last time I checked, they were in a rain delay. Then I got involved in the Olympics.
John McEnroe failed to pass Rafa in the ATP 52-week rolling rankings. 🙂
After 2011, other than Australia,Djokovic stagnated before Becker.
Murray stagnated before Lendl and won all three slams and two singles gold medals with him.
Rafa chooses to stagnate under Toni for over two years unable to make it past slam QF.
Murray is the best player on tour at the moment thanks to Lendl.
Milos made his first slam final thanks to McEnroe.
Rafa has stagnated for over two years thanks to Tomi.
Tomi? You mean Toni Nadal, who holds the men’s coaching record for the most slams? (Not sure about the women’s coaches). The guy who coached a kid that absolutely no one else thought had any kind of outstanding potential and shaped into a legend?
Listen.
Toni has been an incredible coach for Rafa. The combination of Rafa’s amazing talent and being coached effectively by his uncle has produced arguably the best tennis champion of all time.
Nothing I’ve said contradicts that.
All reat players change or perish.
I’ll never count out Rafa to win slams again until he retired. He’s too good for that.
But he hasn’t done himself any favours by recognizing that he needs change if he is to give himself the best chances to reach the top again.
Ramara, I agree with you totally
hawkeye and deucey are trying to sell some drivel which runs like this-Rafa needs a new coach, Rafa is mentally weak and under Uncle T’s control, Uncle T is evil and selfish and will not let Rafa get a new coach.
#howmanytimes
Mary W (AT 3:35 PM),
Many, many, many times! 🙂
#Strawman
#TrollAlert
#Stop Abuse
#LOL
Sorry but a new coach wont help Nadal.
#Alyssagetsit
Alyssa’s comment about Rafa was not meant as a compliment!
?? Sounds good. Rafa seeded #4, Delpo in the mix. Can’t wait!
rc,
I agree! We have a lot to look forward to at the USO! Can Murray keep up his winning streak? Can Novak reassert his dominance? Will Delpo continue to play well and maybe have a great run at the USO?
I am also anxious to see how Rafa does playing in his first slam since he’s been out with the wrist injury.
Then there are the women. Lots of good tennis ahead for us! ?