I'm not a huge tennis fan but this kid is just WOW....his serve is unbelievable. He will be a force at Wimbledon.
quote:
Canadian tennis upstart wins tournament, turns heads
Milos Raonic, of Canada, celebrates after he defeated Fernando Verdasco, of Spain, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) in the final of the SAP Open tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Milos Raonic, of Canada, celebrates after he defeated Fernando Verdasco, of Spain, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) in the final of the SAP Open tennis tournament in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Updated: Mon Feb. 14 2011 12:49:29
CTV.ca News Staff
A 20-year-old Canadian with a blistering serve has broken through into the top tier of international tennis.
On Sunday night, Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., became the first Canadian to win an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) championship since 1995, when Greg Rusedski made headlines.
Raonic dismantled defending champion Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 7-5 to win the San Jose, Calif. tournament.
The six-foot-five Raonic delivered scorching serves, forcing the veteran Spaniard back and throwing him off his game with serves up to 240 kilometres per hour.
Raonic dug deep for the victory, winning hard-fought tiebreakers in both the first and second sets against Verdasco, the world's ninth-ranked tennis player.
Last month, Raonic gave notice that he was serious about his career. At the Australian Open in Melbourne he surprised many by making it to the fourth round before losing to David Ferrer, the No. 7 seed.
He went into Melbourne ranked 152nd but came into the San Jose tourney ranged 84th. After last night's win he has a vastly improved ranking of 59th -- and a reputation as someone to watch out for.
Raonic's mother Vesna Raonic, reached in Toronto's Thornhill neighbourhood, told CTV News Channel she had high hopes for her son going into the final. But she said even she was astounded at what he managed to accomplish on Sunday night.
"We believed in Milos but Verdasco is a great player and Milos needed to play perfect to beat him, but he did it last night," she said.
"We are so excited I even cannot explain how happy we are for him. He is just doing what he loves to do and he's happy."
Raonic telephoned his mother and sister from the court moments after winning, before speaking with the press, she said.
"I was surprised when he called because you expect he is busy but he knows what it means to us and he did it, I cannot explain what it means to us," she said.
Raonic, who was born in Montenegro and moved to Canada at age three, offered a humble victory speech when he finally took to the microphone to say a few words.
"I can't stop smiling," Raonic said. "I'm happy about it and I hope I can keep it going more than six weeks, for a full year schedule, and see where I am at the end of the year."
The Canadian was awarded US$93,000 for his weekend win. According to his profile on the Australian Open website, his entire career winnings going into that tournament was only US$124,433
Raonic's mother said her son's star may be rising fast, but he's ready for the spotlight.
"You can see last night how he's managing stress and everybody -- it's pretty amazing. He's a smart guy and he's always ready, I think he's totally ready, he can manage it."
___________________
quote:
Scott has been introduced to the rave scene, and Ecstasy, by Craig. The two of them go out on the weekends, with some of Craigs friends, and stay up all night, dancing in a drug-fueled trance.
Last edited by Moral Hazard on Apr-26-2011 at 07:48
Feb-14-2011 19:11
Yohan
Champion of Deep&Nu-disco
Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Kitchener, Ont, Soviet Canuckistan
240km/h serve?
Feb-14-2011 19:19
ChemEnhanced
ƒ¶ƒåƒÓƒÛƒnƒéƒßƒåƒnƒÚƒÕƒÞƒ
Registered: Mar 2005
Location: Milton, ON Canada
The kid is a grass player too....can't wait to see more of him.
___________________
quote:
Scott has been introduced to the rave scene, and Ecstasy, by Craig. The two of them go out on the weekends, with some of Craigs friends, and stay up all night, dancing in a drug-fueled trance.
Last edited by Moral Hazard on Apr-26-2011 at 07:48
Feb-14-2011 19:22
Abercrombie
myspace.com/ashesband
Registered: Sep 2005
Location: Aurora Borealis
inb4Jem
___________________
Short time TA, Long time Guver, Good time giver.
Feb-14-2011 19:54
GGM
Supreme houseaddict
Registered: Sep 2010
Location:
quote:
Originally posted by Yohan
240km/h serve?
That was my thought too. Damn man that isn't a serve thats a WMD...
Feb-14-2011 20:44
Sly_Guy
Scene Missing
Registered: Jun 2004
Location: On one of Peterman's adventures
he was earning some high praise at the aussie open this year, and the American media seemed to really like him. Hopefully he can continue to improve and climb the rankings, do well for himself and the game in Canada.
___________________
Not Everyone Understands House Music, It's a Spiritual Thing, a Body Thing, a Soul Thing
Feb-15-2011 18:47
ChemEnhanced
ƒ¶ƒåƒÓƒÛƒnƒéƒßƒåƒnƒÚƒÕƒÞƒ
Registered: Mar 2005
Location: Milton, ON Canada
quote:
Originally posted by Abercrombie
inb4Jem
I thought Jem would be all over this
___________________
quote:
Scott has been introduced to the rave scene, and Ecstasy, by Craig. The two of them go out on the weekends, with some of Craigs friends, and stay up all night, dancing in a drug-fueled trance.
Last edited by Moral Hazard on Apr-26-2011 at 07:48
Feb-15-2011 23:28
SPANIARD
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Toronto,Ontario
He is incredible IMO. He has all the goods to be a top 10 player (maybe even this year, I'm not kidding). His only battle will be the curse of his size. It's tough to sustain in Tennis with a body as big as that. Talent is no question though, he has it.
___________________
quote:
Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
any party from 2003 and back I only remember bits and pieces...i've combined those memories into one awesome party