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| Wimbledon 2014: Milos Raonic sends Nadal-slayer Nick Kyrgios packing | Wimbledon 2014: Milos Raonic sends Nadal-slayer Nick Kyrgios packing |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| The stunning arrival of Nick Kyrgios on the world stage will live long in the memory at Wimbledon but his hopes ended on Wednesday in an almost brutal barrage of aces and heavy hitting from a man who now must be considered as a contender for the title. Milos Raonic, with a serve reminiscent of Pete Sampras, is into his first grand slam semi-final after a 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 victory full of poise and intent. | The stunning arrival of Nick Kyrgios on the world stage will live long in the memory at Wimbledon but his hopes ended on Wednesday in an almost brutal barrage of aces and heavy hitting from a man who now must be considered as a contender for the title. Milos Raonic, with a serve reminiscent of Pete Sampras, is into his first grand slam semi-final after a 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 victory full of poise and intent. |
| Having banged down 39 aces on his way to a victory that also spoke volumes about his belief and calmness under pressure, the No8 seed will play the seven-times champion Roger Federer. If he serves like that, he will be a huge danger. | Having banged down 39 aces on his way to a victory that also spoke volumes about his belief and calmness under pressure, the No8 seed will play the seven-times champion Roger Federer. If he serves like that, he will be a huge danger. |
| “It hasn’t really sunk in,” said Raonic, the first Canadian man to reach the last four since 1923, emulating the achievement of Eugenie Bouchard in the women’s event. “It’s great to have that kind of a win, especially at a tournament where I have wanted to do well and haven’t been able to in previous years. To be able to change it around like this is pretty special.” | “It hasn’t really sunk in,” said Raonic, the first Canadian man to reach the last four since 1923, emulating the achievement of Eugenie Bouchard in the women’s event. “It’s great to have that kind of a win, especially at a tournament where I have wanted to do well and haven’t been able to in previous years. To be able to change it around like this is pretty special.” |
| It was always going to be a big task for the 19-year-old Kyrgios to recover, physically and emotionally, from his breathtaking win over the world No1 Rafael Nadal the previous day. Back on court less than 24 hours later, the Australian looked a little leggy and though he won the first set, the more experienced and, crucially, the fresher Raonic, wore him down. | It was always going to be a big task for the 19-year-old Kyrgios to recover, physically and emotionally, from his breathtaking win over the world No1 Rafael Nadal the previous day. Back on court less than 24 hours later, the Australian looked a little leggy and though he won the first set, the more experienced and, crucially, the fresher Raonic, wore him down. |
| Despite this, Kyrgios was proud of his efforts at the All England club. He said: “I thought I played a strong first set. I just couldn’t maintain that level. What he brought today was something special. | Despite this, Kyrgios was proud of his efforts at the All England club. He said: “I thought I played a strong first set. I just couldn’t maintain that level. What he brought today was something special. |
| “It was such a great achievement [beating Nadal],” he said. “That’s something that no one can take away from me. I’m always going to have that now. I drew a lot of confidence out of that.” | “It was such a great achievement [beating Nadal],” he said. “That’s something that no one can take away from me. I’m always going to have that now. I drew a lot of confidence out of that.” |
| In front of a number of Australian legends of the game, including Ken Rosewall, Kyrgios had his moments, one stunning forehand pass was as good as anything he managed against Nadal. Even after Raonic levelled at one set all, he broke for a 2-0 lead in the third but tiredness was creeping in and Raonic broke back and then again on his way to go two sets to one up. | In front of a number of Australian legends of the game, including Ken Rosewall, Kyrgios had his moments, one stunning forehand pass was as good as anything he managed against Nadal. Even after Raonic levelled at one set all, he broke for a 2-0 lead in the third but tiredness was creeping in and Raonic broke back and then again on his way to go two sets to one up. |
| There is so much to admire about the Kyrgios game and his mental strength was also evident as he stayed with Raonic through the fourth set to force a tie-break. But the 23-year-old took it 7-4 with more outstanding serving and solid play. Kyrgios’s reward will be a move from his ranking of 144 in the world to a place in the top 70 while Raonic, who had never gone beyond round two here, will play Federer for a place in his first grand slam final. | There is so much to admire about the Kyrgios game and his mental strength was also evident as he stayed with Raonic through the fourth set to force a tie-break. But the 23-year-old took it 7-4 with more outstanding serving and solid play. Kyrgios’s reward will be a move from his ranking of 144 in the world to a place in the top 70 while Raonic, who had never gone beyond round two here, will play Federer for a place in his first grand slam final. |
| “I have to do what I’ve been doing and take care of my serve,” Raonic said. “It’s going to be a great challenge and one that I’m going to relish, because it’s something I’ve really wanted: to put myself in this position, to give myself this opportunity. I’ve got to go out there, give my all, compete hard and who knows what can happen?” | |
| The eighth seed had already achieved his best showing at the All England Club when he beat the Japanese 10th seed Kei Nishikori 4-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-3. | The eighth seed had already achieved his best showing at the All England Club when he beat the Japanese 10th seed Kei Nishikori 4-6, 6-1, 7-6, 6-3. |
| “This is another step forward for me. The goal is to be the best player in the world and this is one of those steps that you have to take. I’m very happy I am able to do that and to do it on such a big stage is really special,” he said. | “This is another step forward for me. The goal is to be the best player in the world and this is one of those steps that you have to take. I’m very happy I am able to do that and to do it on such a big stage is really special,” he said. |