By Canadian Press

Raonic advances to second round at Rotterdam with win over De Jong

Feb 12, 2024 | 11:03 AM

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — Milos Raonic’s powerful serve was in full effect Monday as the Canadian veteran defeated Jesper De Jong of the Netherlands 7-6 (5), 6-4 in first-round play at the ABN Amro Open tennis tournament.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., fired 20 aces and won 97 per cent of first-serve points in his first win of the season.

The former world No. 3 set himself up for victory with the only break of the match to take a 5-4 lead in the second set.

He then fired back-to-back aces to set up match point before closing out the win in one hour 42 minutes.

Raonic will next face the winner of a match between eighth seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan and Croatian veteran Borna Coric.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

15h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

Later Monday, Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal was scheduled to face Maxime Cressy of the United States.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press