By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, November 10, 2014
Andy Murray survived a late rally from Milos Raonic to notch a straight-sets win on Tuesday in London.
Photo Source: Julian Finney/Getty
Andy Murray fought his way past Milos Raonic, 6-3, 7-5, on Tuesday at the ATP World Tour Finals to set up an enticing clash with Roger Federer on Thursday for all the marbles in Group B.
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Murray, who had dropped his last two decisions to the Canadian, and three of four lifetime, took advantage of a not-quite-ready-for-primetime Raonic in the first set, converting on his third break point when the Canadian sailed a forehand well long of the baseline to fall behind 4-2.
Raonic seemed to be missing a bit of rhythm on his serve—he only made 37 percent of first serves in the first set and 53 percent for the match—and he was forced into to many baseline points with the cagey Murray as a result.
The initial break was all Murray would need to steal the opening set, and when the world No. 6 climbed back from 40-0 down to break in the third game of the second set, it looked as if the rout was underway.
But Raonic would stiffen his resolve in the next game. After winning a brilliant exchange to earn his first break point of the match, Raonic would hammer a big backhand return that was too hot for Murray to handle to level at 2-all.
With the momentum turning to Raonic’s side of the court, Murray was left to weather the storm, and he did so quite nicely, biding his time until Raonic yielded after a long baseline point to hand Murray the decisive break in the 11th game.
Though Raonic would save a match point and push Murray to deuce in the final game, the Canadian’s second serve return floated long on Murray’s second match point to end proceedings in one hour and 32 minutes.
Notes, Numbers, Tweets
Murray and Federer will battle for Group B bragging rights on Thursday, and also bragging rights in their all-time head-to-head. The pair is currently deadlocked at 11-11 in their 22 career matches.
Raonic has yet to claim a set in his ATP World Tour Finals debut, but he still has a slim chance to qualify for the semis.
Murray has reached the semifinals in London in three of his previous five visits.
After starting the year 0-5 vs. the top ten, Murray has gone 5-5 to improve his record in 2014 to 5-10.