Raonic’s first serve sinks qualifier in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI • Canada’s Milos Raonic cruised into the second round of the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Serbian qualifier Dusan Lajovic on Tuesday.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., converted 95 per cent of his successful first serves into points, including 13 aces. He converted three of five break-point opportunities while never facing break point himself.

Playing in his first match since retaking the mantle of top-seeded Canadian on the ATP Tour from Denis Shapovalov, Raonic completed the 57-minute win by breaking Lajovic in the final game.

Raonic, ranked 29th in the world, next faces lucky loser Malek Jaziri. The Tunisian had a bye into the second round, replacing topranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the main draw.

Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., was scheduled to face Britain’s Kyle Edmund in a second-round match Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Karolina Pliskova and Nick Kyrios advanced with victories.

Pliskova snapped a sevenmatch losing streak against Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the second round with a 6-3, 6-3 win on Tuesday.

Kyrgios, last year’s Cincinnati finalist, fought off qualifier Denis Kudla for a 6-7 (2), 7-5, 7-6 (9) victory.

On the women’s side, Elise Mertens scored a 6-4, 6-2 win over Magdalena Rybarikova. Ashleigh Barty stopped wild-card Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 7-5.

Maria Sakkari upset Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka 6-3, 7-6 (8).