Bulletproof Raonic Wins in Chennai

After a storming 2011, Canadian Milos Raonic is expected to step it up this season and take his career to some new heights. The 'Newcomer of the year' is one of the few teen sensations on the ATP tour and with a booming serve that constantly exceeds 200 mph, Raonic could prove a force to be reckoned with in future years. He started 2012 in Chennai where the number fourth seed showed a glimpse of his enormous potential by capturing a dream week which saw him collect his second ATP title.

Benefiting from an inaugural round bye, Milos' first test came against Victor Hanescu. Relying on his usual assets, i.e. powerful serves and whipping forehands, he was in for a quick day at the office, breezing past the Romanian 6-1,6-4. As he went on to tackle Dudi Sela in the quarterfinals, his serve made the difference once again as he survived Israeli's stiff challenge and triumphed 7-6,6-4. His next encounter was expected to be his toughest so far, as second seeded Spaniard Nicolas Almagro started off as the clear favourite. The young Canadian did not look intimated though, cruising through a double 6-4 win and booking his place in his third final of his career. Last year he defeated Fernando Verdasco to claim his maiden trophy in San Jose, then went on to lose a tight affair in the Memphis finale against American Andy Roddick. So far all his final acts have been labour intensive and Chennai was not about to go down otherwise. His opponent, the recent top 10 acquisition, Serbian Janko Tipsarevic, was not willing to give this up easily. But nor was Milos. After a three hours and 14 minutes marathon, the Canadian was able to close it out, winning the third set tiebreaker 7-4 and ensuring a 6-7,7-6,7-6 victory. Throughout his battle with Janko, he emphasized once more his main weapon throwing 35 aces and fighting off several break points to never surrender his serve. Moreover, he became the first player to win a tournament without doing so since Federer conquered Halle in 2008.

Two top 10 wins and a new crown backed by a solid display gave Raonic the perfect start to his 2012 campaign, as the Canadian looks well pose to capitalize on his breakthrough season and achieve his goals.

Young gun, Canadian Milos Raonic, proved his strength, overcoming Serbian Janko Tipsarevic 6-7,7-6,7-6 to claim his second career title in Chennai.

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