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Murray vs. Raonic Semi-final Preview

  • Posted: Jan 29, 2016

Murray vs. Raonic Semi-final Preview

Jan282016

Four-time finalist Murray looks to neutralise Raonic at Australian Open

We’re impatient, tennis fans. When we catch a glimpse of the next so-called can’t miss/sure thing, the next teen phenom with pro-style stuff who’s sure to take the world by storm, we want results. And we want them now.

When Canada’s Milos Raonic, 6-foot-5 frame and loping, what-me-worry confidence, first burst onto the scene in 2011, we were convinced we were witnessing the start of a great Grand Slam career. His first ATP World Tour title came in an arena better known as The Shark Tank, home to the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.

Where better for a Canadian to break though than on a converted hockey rink?

Raonic, who is set to face Andy Murray on Friday night in the 2016 Australian Open semi-finals, would go on to win three straight titles in San Jose, his concussive serve turning heads and leading some, including 2011 runner-up Fernando Verdasco, to mutter, “When he serves all the time at 140 miles per hour, and every time there’s a chance it’s going to hit the line, you cannot even play tennis.”

Soon everyone was talking about the power-balling sensation who had moved from his native Montenegro to Canada when he was just three, nicknames fluttering around him like a good Ontario snowfall: Maple Leaf Missile, Bombardier Milos, The Big Leaf. But despite his steady rise in the Emirates ATP Rankings, his year-end mark inching toward the Top 10 (he reached a career-high No. 4 in May 2015), the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and Grand Slam titles weren’t piling up as quickly as we once believed they would.

The truth is he was still so young, his return game, his court sense still developing. Now 25, he’s become a much more complete player. Earlier this month, he scored only his second win over Roger Federer in 11 FedEx ATP Head2Heads, taking the Brisbane title. And adding ‘98 Roland Garros champ Carlos Moya to his team (he still works with Riccardo Piatti) seems to have brought a fresh perspective, a new on-court aggression that has Raonic building smarter points, attacking mid-court balls and even putting pressure on his opponents’ serves.

“I feel like I’m finding answers,” said Raonic, who is bidding to become the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final. “I’m taking care of my serve. I’m creating opportunities on the return. I’m reacting much better, getting a lot more returns back in, putting more pressure on my opponents, so eventually the opportunities are coming to me. So I think it’s just really about keeping that cycle going forward. It’s not a question of will I create opportunities. I feel like I’m playing good enough tennis. I feel like I can. The question is will I make use of them?”

Into only the second major semi-final of his eight-year professional career (‘14 Wimbledon), the injury-free Raonic has perhaps never been better equipped to deliver on the big stage. But to reach his first Grand Slam final, he’ll first have to get past World No. 2 Murray. He’s done it before, including a fourth-round win over the Scotsman at Indian Wells in 2014, but never at this level. They’ve met at a major only once before, Murray winning in straight sets on his way to his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2012.

Raonic is 1-12 against Top-2 opposition overall, with his only victory coming against Federer in the quarter-finals in Paris in 2014. He has lost all three of his career meetings with Top-2 players at the Grand Slams in straight sets.

Murray, a four-time finalist in Melbourne, is still seeking his first Australian Open trophy. He finished as runner-up to Federer in 2010, and to Novak Djokovic in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

“Raonic is a big server and tries to play short points,” said Murray. “Milos started this year extremely well. He was unfortunate last year with some injuries. Had a few physical issues. I played him in Madrid and he was struggling a little bit there. Then I think he had the surgery on his foot and missed the French and maybe Wimbledon as well. He’s obviously fit and healthy now and playing well.”

Murray, of course, is one of the tour’s premier returners. He is more than capable of neutralising a power server like Raonic and bringing points back to neutral ground. So the Canadian will have to prove himself on the ground against the always-fit 28-year-old Brit, showing us that he is, in fact, the player we always thought he could be.  

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Novak: ‘You Battle Yourself The Most’

  • Posted: Jan 29, 2016

Novak: ‘You Battle Yourself The Most’

Jan282016

World No. 1 accentuates the positive in life atop Emirates ATP Rankings

When you’ve gone from hunter to hunted, as Novak Djokovic has since getting his first intoxicating taste of No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings back in July 2011, you learn to deal with pressure in ways you never imagined.

Not everyone is built for it over the long haul.

Chile’s Marcelo Rios spent six weeks at No. 1 in 1998. Spain’s Carlos Moya, who recently joined Milos Raonic‘s coaching team, lasted two weeks in ‘99; countryman Juan Carlos Ferrero eight in ‘03. Of course, most players never even get a sniff at No. 1. But Djokovic, now in his 183rd week atop the charts, has shown that he is indeed up for the task. As he’s said, the more he achieves in this sport, the more the expectations, the pressures — both from himself and from others — mount. In his words, they come “in big portions.” But whether it was his upbringing amid war and uncertainty; marriage, fatherhood or just the natural maturity that comes at 28 after years of globetrotting as a touring pro, the Serb has found a way to deal with all that lay before him.

Video courtesy AusOpen.com

“I think Djokovic is certainly mature and conditioned to all the pressures that are in tennis today,” Hall of Famer Rod Laver told ATPWorldTour.com. “And there’s a lot more pressure today than when I was playing.”

Much attention is paid to Djokovic’s record against his chief rivals. Following Thursday night’s 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 defeat of Roger Federer in the Australian Open semis, he has the upper hand against the Swiss at 23-22 in FedEx ATP Head2Heads. He’s 24-23 against Rafael Nadal, his dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over the Spaniard in the Doha final coming “as close to perfection as it can get.” He’s 21-9 against Andy Murray; 19-4 against Stan Wawrinka. But it’s his performance against a more ethereal opponent that may matter the most.

“At the end of the day, you’re battling yourself the most,” Djokovic asserted. “There are so many players out there that are hitting the ball well. Whether or not you’re able to cope with the pressure in these particular moments, fighting against some of the best players in the world for the major trophies, there’s a lot at stake. Emotions are going up and down. It’s important to keep it together. You go throughout the match, and even before the match, through different thought processes. Even though sometimes it seems unnatural, you need to keep pushing yourself to be on the positive side.”

A prime example of that positive thinking is the way he stayed in the moment against Federer in last summer’s US Open final. It sure sounded as if all 24,000 Ashe Stadium ticketholders were pulling for his ever-popular opponent, but Djokovic kept his composure en route to a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 triumph.

“I try not to focus on that,” he said. “I feel like I’m enjoying lots of support around the world. When I play Roger, it’s something that is expected in a way considering his career and his greatness on and off the court, what he has done for the sport. He’s loved. He’s appreciated. He’s respected around the world. For me, it’s normal in a way. I’m trying to enjoy my time, to do the best that I can with the tennis racquet, but also focus on the positive energy rather than negative, rather than getting frustrated for that. There’s no reason.”

Djokovic admittedly has had an up-and-down run to the 2016 final in Melbourne, where he’s shooting for his sixth title in nine years. He didn’t drop a set through three rounds, then committed an uncharacteristic 100 unforced errors in clawing his way past France’s Gilles Simon in five sets 6-3, 6-7(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. He was hardly at his best in dismissing Kei Nishikori in the quarters. But he clearly found his form against Federer, especially in the first two sets, which he wrapped up in a mere 54 minutes.

“I’ve had matches where I’ve played similar tennis,” he said. “But I think against Roger, these first two sets have been probably the best two sets I’ve played against him overall I think throughout my career. I’ve had some moments against him in sets where I’ve played on a high level, but this was a different level than from before.”

“Psychologically, I did not allow myself to have big oscillations,” he added. “Your best changes day to day. It’s not always possible to play this way. You strive to be the best you can be. When you’re playing one of your top rivals, somebody of Roger’s resume, of course it requires a lot of focus, determination, and a different preparation for that matchup than most of the other matches. So that’s why I came out with a great deal of self-belief and confidence and intensity, concentration. I mean, I played flawless tennis for first two sets, no doubt about it.”

Can the 10-time Grand Slam champion maintain this dominance in the years to come?

“It’s hard to say what the future brings,” Djokovic said on Thursday. “Obviously, tennis is different from what it was when I was coming up 10 years ago. It’s more difficult for young players to break through and actually challenge the best players in the world. It’s more physical nowadays and more demanding from each and every aspect.

“There are cases and players like Boris Becker and [Michael] Chang, who were 16-, 17-, 18-year-old Grand Slam winners. It’s hard to say if we’re going to have that or not in the future. It just really depends. The future is not in our hands. It’s expected to see new faces, a new generation of players, guys like [Nick] Kyrgios, [Alexander] Zverev. Those are players who are showing some big game, big tennis, and they are able quality-wise to challenge the top players. But to sustain that level and throughout the year to be actually consistent requires a lot more than just a good game. I’m going to try to stay here as long as possible. That’s from my perspective what I can influence, what I can do. Whether or not I’m going to be dominant in the years to come, I don’t know. I cannot give you an answer on that. I can try to do my best to try to keep playing on this level.”

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Stepanek/Nestor Through To Australian Open Final

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2016

Stepanek/Nestor Through To Australian Open Final

Jan282016

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Murray To Challenge Raonic In Australian Open Semis

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2016

Murray To Challenge Raonic In Australian Open Semis

Jan282016

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Murray set for Raonic semi-final

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2016
Australian Open
Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 18-31 January
Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on all Andy Murray matches, plus highlights on BBC TV and BBC Sport website. Listen to Tennis Breakfast on Radio 5 live sports extra and the BBC Sport website from 08:00 GMT.

Britain’s Andy Murray plays Canada’s Milos Raonic on Friday for a place in Sunday’s Australian Open final.

Four-time runner-up Murray is bidding to reach his fifth final in Melbourne, where Novak Djokovic awaits.

Big-serving Raonic, the 13th seed, is chasing a spot in his first Grand Slam final having seen off Frenchman Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals.

Murray, 28, and Raonic, 25, have played each other eight times on Tour, with honours even.

Full commentary on the match is available on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 08:30 GMT, with television highlights following on BBC Two at 14:00 GMT.

Murray’s mind elsewhere?

By his own admission, Murray has struggled to keep his mind on the job in Melbourne, despite advancing to the last four of the season’s first major.

The world number two’s father-in-law, Nigel Sears, collapsed earlier in the tournament, while his wife Kim is heavily pregnant back home in Britain.

Murray shrugged off the distractions to beat tough Spaniard David Ferrer in four sets in the quarter-finals but Raonic, who is in the form of his career, could pose a bigger threat.

Federer’s seal of approval

Raonic, who reached the last four at Wimbledon in 2014, has long been tipped as the next big thing and under new coach Carlos Moya, he might be about to deliver on his promise.

The 6ft 5in Canadian was once written off as one-dimensional. However, he beat 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka in five sets in the fourth round using aggressive serve-and-volley tactics.

Roger Federer, who lost to Djokovic in their semi-final on Thursday, was certainly impressed by Raonic’s improvement after losing to him in the final of the Brisbane International earlier this month.

“For a big guy he moves well,” said 17-time major winner Federer. “He’s improved his fitness the last few years. Also, tactically he’s better now than he’s ever been.”

Clash of styles

Murray versus Raonic promises to be an intriguing clash of styles, with power-player Raonic’s pitted against one of the game’s best returners and defenders.

Also one of the tour’s finest passers, Murray will be keen to test Raonic’s commitment to coming into the net early in the match.

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Murray’s experience could count for a great deal, but Raonic has given notice this month that a maiden Grand Slam final may not be that far away.

He beat Roger Federer to win the title in Brisbane, and has knocked out the 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka en route to the last four in Melbourne.

His serve has found a pleasing groove and his net play is hugely advanced, having decided to dedicate much more time in practice to it.

But Murray played very well in the final two sets of his quarter-final victory over Ferrer and has won four of his five previous Australian Open semi-finals.

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Djokovic beats Federer to reach final

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2016
Australian Open
Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 18-31 January
Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on all Andy Murray matches, plus highlights on BBC TV and BBC Sport website. Listen to Tennis Breakfast on Radio 5 live sports extra and the BBC Sport website from 07:00 GMT.

Novak Djokovic advanced to his sixth Australian Open final with a 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 victory over Roger Federer.

The world number one dominated the first two sets with some superb hitting, then had to hold off a spirited Federer fightback.

It is the third straight Grand Slam in which Djokovic has beaten the Swiss, prolonging Federer’s wait for an 18th major title.

Djokovic will face Andy Murray or Canada’s Milos Raonic in the final.

The Serb has beaten British number one Murray in the final on three previous occasions, including last year’s four-set victory.

“I played unbelievably in the first two sets but I needed to because Roger has been playing unbelievably and I knew he would be aggressive,” 10-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic said.

Djokovic dominant in blistering start

Before the match, much attention had focused on the first set, with Federer never having beaten Djokovic in a best-of-five match having dropped the opener.

But it was barely a contest as Djokovic twice broke the world number three in his opening three service games.

Pummelling Federer with deep groundstrokes and using clever changes of pace to induce 12 unforced errors from his opponent, the Serb wrapped up the set inside 23 minutes.

And he was no less dominant in the second, decisively breaking to love in the third game as he threatened to hand a rattled Federer one of his worst ever defeats.

Not since a 2001 loss to Andre Agassi at the US Open had Federer been limited to just three games in the first two sets.

Federer fightback in vain

But just when a Djokovic victory seemed inevitable, somehow Federer managed to reverse the momentum of the match to take the third set.

The 34-year-old held his opening three service games then seized his opportunity in a mammoth sixth game, missing three break points before finally breaking Djokovic at the fourth opportunity.

The fourth set was closely contested as a resurgent Federer threatened to extend Djokovic to five sets for the first time since their epic meeting in the 2014 Wimbledon final.

But a poor game at 3-4 ultimately proved costly as Djokovic broke and then served out to love to edge ahead 23-22 in his rivalry with Federer.

“My rhythm, my timing, all that, was a bit off in the beginning,” said Federer. “He took advantage of that and did an unbelievable job for a long, long time tonight.”

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

On the evidence of the first six rounds in Australia, not a lot has changed in the world of tennis since the end of last season. Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic still look a cut above the rest, although Roger Federer’s rousing comeback thrilled everyone watching.

Djokovic made only six unforced errors in the first two sets – he was simply devastating. The rousing ovation Federer received as he came out to begin the third set sparked him into life, but the match was settled in the eighth game of the fourth.

Federer won the point of the tournament – playing a glorious half-volley, chasing down a lob, running down a smash, and hitting the line with a backhand pass – only for Djokovic to break and then serve his way into a sixth Melbourne final. He’s won the first five, and will take some stopping now.

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Konta can win Grand Slams – Barker

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2016
Australian Open
Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 18-31 January
Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on all Andy Murray matches, plus highlights on BBC TV and BBC Sport website.

Johanna Konta can win Grand Slam titles but may have to wait for Serena Williams to retire, says former French Open champion Sue Barker.

Konta, the first British woman to play in a Grand Slam semi-final for 33 years, lost 7-5 6-2 to Angelique Kerber at the Australian Open.

Asked if the 24-year-old could win one of tennis’s four Grand Slams, Barker said: “Of course she can.

“But Serena Williams is in a different league to everyone else.”

American Williams has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles – including eight of the past 14 on offer – and will turn 35 in September.

By contrast, Konta, who was ranked 147th in January 2015, was making her first Grand Slam semi-final appearance.

Despite losing to Kerber, she is set to rise from 47th in the world to inside the top 30 and would be seeded at the French Open and Wimbledon should she maintain that ranking through the summer.

Konta made 36 unforced errors to Kerber’s 11 in her straight-set defeat but Barker believes her rivals will be better prepared in the future.

“Konta has got all the shots – her serve is terrific, the forehand is a weapon and more reliable than it was – but now she has the mental attitude,” said BBC Sport presenter Barker.

“You saw that when she served for the match, lost her serve, but came back to beat Ekaterina Makarova 8-6 in the third set to make the quarter-finals.

“The top players are going to take note of her run.

“Their coaches are going to go out and watch her matches, find her weaknesses and where she does not move so well on the court. She has to add more variety to her game to combat that.”

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Konta hopes ended by Kerber in semis

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2016
Australian Open
Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 18-31 January

Johanna Konta’s superb Australian Open run came to an end with defeat by German seventh seed Angelique Kerber in the semi-finals.

Konta, the first British woman for 33 years to play in a Grand Slam semi-final, went down 7-5 6-2 in Melbourne.

“I played against a better player today who earned her right to a Grand Slam final,” said the British number one.

The 24-year-old collects £370,000 in prize money, while her ranking is set to jump from 47 to inside the top 30.

Kerber goes on to face world number one Serena Williams, who took just 64 minutes to thrash Polish fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0 6-4.

The American, 34, is the defending champion and is chasing a seventh Australian Open and 22nd Grand Slam title.

Konta errors count her out

The Briton made a nervous start and could not stem a flow of errors that kept the pressure off Kerber.

Konta ended the match with 36 unforced errors to the German’s 11, having dropped serve five times over an hour and 22 minutes.

She looked every bit the debutante at this level as she slipped 3-0 down, with Kerber – twice a Grand Slam semi-finalist – hardly required to do anything but keep the ball in play in the early stages.

There was real hope for Konta when she found some rhythm and clawed her way back to lead 5-4 in the first set, but Kerber broke again at 5-5 and would lose just two more games.

‘I’m really hungry to keep improving’

Konta was staying upbeat after her loss, insisting: “I don’t think I missed an opportunity.”

She felt Kerber simply played better, adding there were a lot of positives to take from her straight-sets defeat.

“I’m really hungry to keep improving and keep enjoying what I’m doing,” she said. “So that’s where I’m at.

“I just will go back, keep working hard, keep improving the things that I want to improve and keep enjoying what I’m doing.”

‘She will only get better’

Konta’s progress over the last 12 months has been described as “phenomenal” by GB Davis Cup captain Leon Smith.

“Jo should be so proud of herself, the way she’s played and handled herself,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Yes, she’ll be disappointed today, but she probably can’t wait to get going again.”

Jo Durie, Britain’s last female Grand Slam semi-finalist, and former British number one Greg Rusedski both tweeted praise for Konta.

Rusedski, who reached the US Open final in 1997,wrote: “Great run for @JoKonta91 getting to the semifinals of a GS for the first time. Now into the top 30 in the world. She will only get better.”

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller:

Johanna Konta says she has learnt to ‘feel comfortable being uncomfortable’ during her run to the semi-final.

The experience of winning five Grand Slam matches in a row and working through some stressful periods will stand her in great stead.

She will be 28 in the world when the rankings are updated on Monday and has very few points to defend until the grass-court season begins in June, so she has an excellent chance of being seeded for both the French Open and Wimbledon.

She has also earned the right to play in any tournament she chooses to, anywhere in the world.

It has been a phenomenal performance by a player, who before her run to the fourth round of the US Open last September, had only ever won one match in a Grand Slam main draw.

Williams crushes Radwanska

Radwanska was on a 13-match winning run, but she had lost all eight previous meetings with Williams and was again overwhelmed.

Williams was utterly dominant in the first set, her power advantage most obvious as she demolished the 5ft 8in Pole’s serve, winning 12 of 16 return points as she took it in 20 minutes.

The American’s form fell away in the second set, allowing Radwanska to recover from 3-1 down with four straight games that roused a crowd sympathetic to the Pole’s plight.

But Radwanska missed a forehand to drop serve at 4-4 and Williams, despite racking up 13 errors to four in the first set, found three aces in a row on her way to serving out the match.

“I’m really excited to be in another final, it kind of blows my mind right now,” said Williams.

Radwanska added that it would difficult for anyone to stop Williams.

“If she’s playing her best tennis, it’s a big difference,” she said. “I don’t think anyone can really play on that level.”

But Kerber responded: “I’m really looking forward to playing Serena in the final. I have nothing to lose and will give it everything.”
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