Milos Raonic became the first player since 2012 other than Novak Djokovic to beat Stan Wawrinka at the Australian Open when the Canadian survived 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3 during fourth-round action on Monday. Raonic fired 24 aces and benefited from a poor serving performance by Wawrinka to advance after three hours and 45 minutes.
The world No. 14 dominated the first two sets and had break chances to go ahead in the third but could not convert. Thus began Wawrinka’s comeback, which took the Swiss through sets three and four and to a 2-2 deadlock in the fifth. Raonic regained control by breaking at 3-2 when Wawrinka sent a forehand passing shot well long.
The victory cruised through his next two service games to seal the deal. Wawrinka, meanwhile, was doomed by 58 percent serving and nine double-faults. that led to Raonic breaking five times.
Highlights:
“I’m very happy with the way I played, the way I competed, the way I turned things around after sort of having the momentum against me going into the fifth,” Raonic said. “I’m happy the situation I’ve put myself in. At the same time, as happy as I am, my mind’s already on what’s the process for my next challenge.”
The next one will come against Gael Monfils on Wednesday, as Monfils, Andy Murray, and David Ferrer joined Raonic in the quarterfinals. Monfils held off Andrey Kuznetsov in four sets, while Murray and Ferrer advanced in straights at the expense of Bernard Tomic and John Isner, respectively.
Murray-Tomic highlights:
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who ya got?
Milos in 3
Andy in 4
Ajde Milose!!!
milos and andy…won’t be hard for either..milos should beat monfils pretty easily..and ferrer won’t really bother andy unless he is having one of those matches where he falls asleep..
I’m taking Milos to beat la Monf in four maybe five and Andy to take down David in three maybe four.
Although I’m rooting for a monfils vs Ferrer semifinal which probably won’t happen.
that’d be fun
Another game for Milosh!!!!!
https://twitter.com/captnslapyoface/status/691489535398510594
lol
I wish that it could be Monfils, but I think that raonic will win in 4 sets.
I think Murray will beat ferrer in 3 or 4 sets.
When I fell asleep, I was satisfied that Stan would win. It’s okay, Stan couldn’t do it and it’s time for Milosh to move up – he’s playing some unbelievable tennis. We’ll see what LaMonf can do. Happy Gael made the quarters here. Milosh in 3 or 4.
Andy in 3. Like to see Ferrer make Andy work for it and take a set but…
rc,
Believe me, I would love to see monfils get the win! Heart over head would be a monfils win. But raonic is playing extremely well. I was not too bummed about Stan. He pushed it to five sets and made a match of it. But in the crucial moments in the fifth set, when it really counted, raonic stepped up and made the shots.
Thank for your rely, Nny. Appreciate you filling me in because I cannot stay awake! But I woke up early and caught the last set of Keys v Zhang. Maybe I’ll write a post about Zhang on the WTA a little later. She and Konta are impressive.
Milos Raonic is becoming a monster; ambitious and focused. I don’t doubt he can beat Gael. Can he beat Andy Murray is my question. Have been underestimating Milos. We’ll see how he does with dear LaMonf.
has potential to dominate tour post-Novak
What about Goffin?
Hahahahahahahaha
ratcliff, i don’t see milos beating andy if andy plays well. if andy is off and hits a lot of weak second serves then yes he can. on the whole that’s unlikely to happen in a slam semi but you never entirely know with andy.
see what a difference a new coach can make rafa!!
Thanks, amy. You are probably right about Milos v Andy. But I’m cheering for that match-up to happen here! Yes Milos is playing with more happiness, shots – an all-round transformation. Scary. And agree with everyone about the importance of Rafa adding a fresh perspective. However, Sanju posted Moya’s interview and I feel Moya might be right: Uncle Toni is going to stay. But why would that preclude Rafa from adding in a coach. Nole has had that in Vajda plus Boris. I don’t know.
Back to Milos: I might give Danille Knudson some credit too 🙂
Tsame
Toni can stay on as team mascot.
Amy,
I agree about raonic not beating Murray. Not unless Murray goes walkabout. Murray is looking good.
I also found myself thinking – what a difference a new coach makes! Ironic that it’s Moyà. Rafa can bring on someone else in addition to uncle Toni. That is what Novak did with BB. You need a new set of eyes, a fresh perspective.
coach is not the main factor. Main factor is health. Raonic would have done this same thing at Wimbledon last summer of healthy.
Ricky,
The ESPN commits were giving credit to the new coach. They talked about some specific things that raonic was doing differently in that game. I don’t remember it, because I was just trying to stay awake. Something about how he was gripping the racket with some shots and how he was volleying so well and being more aggressive. I don’t remember the rest of it, but Cahill was talking about the changes in his game throughout the match. I assume you do not agree with what they said.
Ljubicic certainly helped his game and injuries were a factor no doubt but nny is right.
Carlos has Moya to do with it.
Hahahahahahahaha
Do you????
Nativenewyorker (AT 11:25 PM),
—what a difference a new coach makes! Ironic that it’s Moyà.—
===
.
There is nothing ironic. Rafa has practiced with Carlos Moya since Rafa was 12 years old and C.Moya has taught Rafa a lot. Moya was Rafa’s mentor on the Tour when Rafa was very young. The last time they practiced together was on December 28, 2015 in Manacor, Rafa’s hometown.
.
RAFA: “Carlos is a close friend of mine.” [Rafa’s post-match press conference in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 2, 2016]
.
CARLOS MOYA: “I know Rafa well…We’re good friends, we often eat together, and we trained together at Christmas.” [C.Moya’s interview in L’Équipe on Jan. 2, 2016]
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Rafael-Nadal-practiced-with-Carlos-Moya-in-Mallorca-articolo11763.html
avatar check
rc,
It’s back!
Well, it’s a relief, rc – that made me sad without it.