‘Supersonic Raonic’ sixth again in world rankings

Canadian tennis player moves up after Washington win over Pospisil.

WASHINGTON:

Milos Raonic matched his career high in the ATP rankings on Monday by rising to sixth after his first victory of the year at the Washington Open, boosting his confidence ahead of the US Open.

“That number I have beside my name is no coincidence and I would not be surprised if that number gets smaller,” said Raonic.

The 23-year-old Canadian won in his first event since reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final last month at Wimbledon, in which he lost to Roger Federer and departed the court angry and frustrated at his performance.

Those feelings have sparked motivation that spurs him forward into the ATP Toronto Masters this week with only three weeks until the start of his next Grand Slam opportunity at the Flushing Meadows fortnight.

“I started taking that anger and disappointment and using it,” said Raonic. “There’s still a certain pain and discomfort. To change things around, it’s good.

“But there’s still a fire in me because of how I played that match.”

Raonic fired 83 aces in his title run at Washington, the lightning serves of “Supersonic Raonic” helping to humble countryman Vasek Pospisil on Sunday in the ATP’s first all-Canadian final.

“There aren’t too many solutions with his serve,” said Pospisil. “I think it’s the best serve in the game right now.

But, Raonic warns, his serve is not yet at its best.

“It can improve a lot more, not only the serve but how I back the serve up,” said Raonic.

Raonic says there is a great difference between the attitude he had winning other events such as Bangkok last year and the confidence he now enjoys.

“Now I go into every tournament for the next few months believing I can win every tournament,” he said. “Then it had to be specific tournaments. Now I believe I can win any tournament.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2014.

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