Milos Raonic produced a workmanlike performance in his win over Gilles Muller 6-3 6-4 7-6(4)
Both players started the match well, serving well as you would expect as a result not giving any chances to their opponent. However in the fourth game the Canadian would bring out his heavy artillery onto court and break the Muller serve to lead 3-1 in the first set. As per usual one break was enough for Raonic as he powered his way to winning the first set 6-3.
The second set saw more break point opportunities being created and both men putting their agressive returning skills to the limit. Three break points were created in the opening four games of the second set, with the server triumphant as per usual. Despite both men holding serve comfortably in the next four game, the Muller resistance was eventually broken in the ninth game as he handed a 5-4 lead to Raonic. The Wimbledon finalist would then convert his second set point to close out the second set 6-4.
Both Men used their net skills in the third set, with both men trying to finish the points quicker to gain the advantage. For Raonic it was about conserving energy and getting this big serving match up out of the way. The real battle of the third set came on Muller’s serve in the ninth game where Raonic created two break point opportunities with insane forehands and lobs. Muller held for a 5-4 lead and looked determined to grab the third set. The player from Luxembourg, who won the his maiden title in Sydney before the Australian Open, then had set point in the twelfth game but was denied by a resilient Raonic. As a result the third set went to a tiebreak, which saw the Canadian use his big forehand to win the breaker 7-4 and win the match in exactly 2 hours.
Raonic showed good all round play to defeat a big player like Muller and rose to the pressure. It was a good performance an will be an instant danger to anyone that he plays. Milos Raonic will now play 25th seed Gilles Simon in the third round.
