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There’s something endearingly old school about Milos Raonic.
It shows in the gentleman-like manners and polished presentation that sets a standard for many of the Canadian’s peers. And it showed in a 6-4, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 win over Sam Querrey, that earned Raonic a Wimbledon semi-final appearance for the second time in his career.
Big serves were expected to feature in the fourth professional meeting between the No.6 seed Canadian and No.28 Querrey, a memorable winner over Novak Djokovic in the second round. And each man indeed added to their hefty ace count at the 2016 Championships, but it was Raonic’s crisp volleys and artistic control that reminded many observers of eras past.
Successful at the net on 35 of the 47 occasions he ventured there, Raonic showed refreshing flair throughout the two hour, 31-minute contest. “I knew he had a big serve, obviously, but I was really impressed with his net game. He really didn't miss a volley today,” Querrey said.
“He kept coming forward, kept the pressure on me, and I felt it. Kudos to him for playing a very good, clean match.”
Indeed, for much of it, Raonic was simply flawless, the 25-year-old surrendering only three points on serve in the first set and allowing Querrey just as few opportunities in the second. Breaks came in the final game of both to provide Raonic with a decisive lead.
He kept coming forward, kept the pressure on me, and I felt it. Kudos to him for playing a very good, clean match
It was impressive tennis, but more impressive still that the Canadian didn’t panic during his only brief dip. One of only two double faults from Raonic came late in the third set, providing Querrey with his first break point. The American secured it with a backhand winner and served out the set in the following game.
While his service games were no longer coming so easily, Raonic staved off a break point in the opening game of the fourth set, withstanding the only serious challenge that Querrey managed.
With the American’s big serve finally missing – he served all five of his double faults in that final set – the Canadian waited for his chances. A final double fault in the 10th game set up match point and when a stunning return forced another Querrey error, Raonic was able to convert.
“(It’s) the best match I played all the way through and through. Other than a span of three games, everything was quite good. I had quite a few looks. I made the most of it,” said Raonic, who registered 13 aces and 58 winners against 16 unforced errors.
Such numbers highlight the way that Raonic has increasingly imposed himself in his sixth appearance at The Championships. In a fourth round win over David Goffin, he recovered from a two-set deficit for the first time in his career.
“I think it's about being more positive on court,” Raonic said of his improved mentally. “I think it's about making sure you don't sort of, in important moments, let yourself just quietly drift away, getting the most out of yourself. All these kind of things. Whether that be being more vocal, being more positive.
“You have to be able to notice these shifts in momentum sometimes, react on them.”
It helps that the Canadian has John McEnroe in his coaching box, the influence of the three-time Wimbledon champion showing in the Canadian’s more attacking style.“That was a part of the motivation to bring him along to help, was to improve that aspect of how much I can implement it in my game and how to use it and what the right moments are,” he said.
Raonic next faces Roger Federer in a re-match of their 2014 Wimbledon semi-final, when he lost to the seven-time champion in three sets. “He can come up with great things. Obviously, the terms are to bring the match on my racket, sort of take away rhythm and timing from him. That's what I'm going to be striving to do,” he said.
The No.6 seed has so far managed just two wins against Federer in 11 matches – but he considers he is a far more realistic challenger now. “Mentally, physically. I think from every aspect, I've improved,” Raonic said. “I know what I need to do on court better. I know how to sort of turn things around to get them on my terms.”
Far from intimidated, the Canadian relishes the opportunity for a rematch against one of the All England Club’s most decorated champions. “I have very clear objectives for myself, goals, that are beyond this tournament,” he pointed out.
“To achieve those things, you have to face off against the best players at the best tournaments.”
While understandably high on confidence, Raonic remains ever-respectful – yet another example of his old school class.
