Tennis: Melzer downs Raonic in final

MEMPHIS: Jurgen Melzer defeated fourth-seed Milos Raonic 7-5, 7-6 in the final of the Memphis Open to capture his fourth career ATP title. Melzer, who upset Isner and third-seed Radek Stepanek en route the final, clinched the victory in a second set tie-break when Raonic hammered a backhand into the net. “This is a very important period for me,” said Melzer. “I went through a hard spell last year with a lot of back problems and this is finally an achievement that puts me out of those dark times.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2012.