Raonic double-faulted seven times over the course of two hours and 18 minutes, but he fired 22 aces and saved both of the break points he faced against Young. After Young dropped serve in the opening game of the match, the two players combined to hold 33 straight service games. The ninth-ranked Canadian is currently No. 10th in the race to London but projected to pass Ferrer for No. 9 (even if they finish with the same result this week).
Raonic interview:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AywDSnsWpQ0]
Roger Federer joined Raonic in the quarterfinals by overcoming Denis Istomin 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. It marked the second consecutive year in which Federer has defeated Istomin in three sets in the Basel second round.
“I thought I was lacking rhythm in the first set,” the Swiss commented. “He played well. It was one of those sets that was tough to lose but the important thing was to bounce back in the second set and get my teeth into the match.”
It was a mixed day for Spaniards in Valencia. In addition to the Ferrer-Verdasco match, Pablo Andujar rolled over Dusan Lajovic but Roberto Bautista Agut had to withdraw against Thomaz Bellucci due to an abdominal problem. For the Spanish fans, though, Ferrer’s safe passage is what is most important. Not only is he the host nation’s top title hope, but he also needs a successful week to boost his London aspirations.
“The first set was very important,” the top seed explained after seeing off Verdasco. “I played very well in the first games, when he was hitting the ball very hard, and it wasn’t easy. I stayed solid in the second set took my chances.”
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