Raonic one step closer

[GeorgeUnited32]

Milos Raonic moved one step closer to retaining his San Jose Open title after beating Ryan Harrison 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 in their semi-final meeting on Saturday.

http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/new...ne-step-closer

The third-seeded Canadian served fired 20 aces to set up a clash with Denis Istomin in Sunday's final of the indoor hard court event after the Uzbek later beat fifth-seed Julien Benneteau of France 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3.

"I think I did a really good job taking care of the serve," Raonic said. "What I was doing really well was making most of my first serves. But when I missed a few, I was still playing pretty well on the second serves."

Raonic wasted little time taking command of the opening-set tiebreaker.

"The tiebreaker was huge," Harrison said. "I missed a forehand by like a half an inch on the first point and after that he goes ace, ace.

"Then the very next point I hit the spot I wanted to, into his body, to his forehand. He kind of hit it off the bottom of the frame and it hits the net cord and went over."

Raonic fought off Harrison's only break point opportunity in the third game of the second set and then broke the American to seize a 3-1 lead before closing out victory.

[GeorgeUnited32]

Raonic wins San Jose Open title

http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/new...joy-for-Raonic

Milos Raonic successfully defended his title at the SAP Open in San Jose after he beat Denis Istomin 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 in the final.

The 21-year-old, who looked destined for a big year in 2011 after winning this event, lost his way owing to a hip injury suffered while falling at Wimbledon.

But he is back to full fitness now and, on this showing, an even hotter prospect.

He has only dropped two service games across the last two tournaments in San Jose, and his most lethal weapon was vital here.

The first set was won on a tie-break, with Istomin missing a pass and then Raonic crunching a winning forehand.

After that, the second set was a formality.

"I feel amazing. It's definitely a different feeling from the first time last year," Raonic said.