Tennis: Raonic upsets Murray in Barcelona

Canadian Milos Raonic defeated Andy Murray the Scot 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to reach the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open.

BARCELONA: Canadian Milos Raonic handed second-seed Andy Murray a clay-court humiliation as the big-hitting youngster hammered the Scot 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) to reach the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open. Murray was to have been Raonic’s opponent in Miami last month, but the Canadian had to withdraw before that showdown on hardcourt. With the scene shifted to clay, the momentum went with the Canadian as he took the biggest scalp of his fast-rising career in just under one and three-quarter hours at the Real Club de Tenis. Murray, a Monte Carlo quarter-finalist admitted he had a difficult time trying to make the change from hardcourt to clay and praised Raonic’s game. “Milos has always played well on hardcourt,” said Murray. “He’s got a huge serve, you must find ways to neutralise it. If you manage, you have options.”

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