Wednesday, 16 January 2019

AO - Raonic d Kyrgios with big serves

The night match on Melbourne Arena on Day Two of the 2019 Australian Open featured two of the biggest servers in the modern era - Milos Raonic (16) and Nick Kyrgios.


Raonic served first and it was a love game finished with two aces.

Three wide serves from Kyrgios were punctuated with a double fault but a comfortable hold for 1-1.

Kyrgios found the net twice before Raonic again produced a pair of aces to end the game and lead 2-1.

Kyrgios followed up a good serve with a fine drop shot to have 15-0.  Two aces of his own concluded a love game to equalise at 2-2.

Not many long rallies expected in this match.

After two aces, Raonic put away an easy forehand, then finished off a third love game, this one in 66 seconds.  3-2.

Two aces, and a down the line backhand from Kyrgios for 3-3.


Raonic had 30-0 after a winning half volley and a Kyrgios error. Then two shots wide off the Canadian racquet were the first points lost on the Raonic delivery.  Never mind, the remaining points were easily Canadian and 4-3 was the score.

One ace from Kyrgios in a love game and 4-4.

An ace from Raonic sealed a 5-4 advantage and Kyrgios called for a trainer to attend to his knee.

Kyrgios missed an overhead and a forehand and suddenly he was facing three set points - he saved two, but unable to prevent Raonic converting the third and lead 6-4.


Medical time out for Kyrgios then more of the same from Raonic.

Kyrgios joined the serving fiesta and for nine games it was easy pickings for the pair when at the line.

Not in game ten though, when Raonic began returning like a demon.  Kyrgios faced a set point, but three great serves saved him and it was 5-5.

A tie break arrived, and Raonic grabbed the early lead.  Kyrgios ran off three straight points to lead 4-3, and he just missed a backhand which would have had him in prime position.  Instead, a serve volley error at 4-5 gave Raonic set points, and he used the second to take a two set lead 6-4 7-6(5).


Kyrgios held serve in the opening game of set three, after saving two break points.

In the fifth game, facing another break point, Kyrgios hit a poor volley at the net, and Raonic now led by two sets and a break.

No more breaks of serve and Raonic won 6-4 7-6(5) 6-4

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