Raonic wins ‘sexiest’ battle in men’s semifinals
Sock fells fellow American Young to also reach final
DELRAY BEACH – In an evening battle of tennis giants, literally and figuratively, Milos Raonic, No. 3 in the world last year, outslugged Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6 (6) in a marquee matchup that Mark Baron, who founded the Delray Open 25 years ago, called “the sexiest, highest-ranked matchup we’ve ever had.’’
Itwas the most star-studded pairing since a couple of fading former No. 1s, Ivan Lendl and Mats Wilander, squared off in 1994 when the tournament was still on the red clay in Coral Springs. However, these two powerhouses, when healthy, are at or near the peak of their elite skills.
With Hall of Fame member Jimmy Connors in the VIP section among a packed house filled with snowbird Canadians and chanting South Americans, the match Saturday night took on a Davis Cup atmosphere.
Raonic, 26, took control of the first set with a break to go up 4-2 as del Potro’s one-handed slice was letting him down. After the slender Argentine staved off four set points, Raonic eventually served out the opening set at love, using a 140-mph blast and one ofhis 17 aces to wrap it up.
“Hewas coming so fast to my game and slice that I couldn’t manage my backhands,” said del Potro, who lost in the semis here last year, too, but is coming off a huge comeback 2016 in which he rocketed to No. 38 from 581. “I tried my best, but hewas too good.”
The second set was on serve until 5-5 when the two exchanged breaks, both with backhand winners down the line to force a tiebreaker that had plenty of twists and turns before Raonic ended it with another ace.
“The match was up and down, but he took his opportunities to win the match,” said del Potro, who was ranked fourth in 2010 a few months after he won the U.S. Open and before four wrist surgeries derailed his career.
Earlier, Jack Sock took out fellow American Donald Young 6-4, 7-6 (2) in the first semifinal on a humid Saturday afternoon at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.
If Sock were a baseball pitcher, his catcher would need every finger to call his wide assortment of deliveries.
On any given point, the 6-foot-3 muscular Sock can pound a 136-mph bullet, slice it wide or kick it over his opponent’s head on or near the lines. Combine that with one of the tour’s most ferocious, topspin forehands and it’s no wonder Sock
“I feel very good with the serve right now,’’ said Sock, who faced (and lost) one break point all match, while winning 87 percent of his first serves and 59 percent of his second.
“I definitely worked on it a lot in the offseason. It’s always been a weapon of mine, but I’d have weeks it would go up and down, a roller-coaster ride. I wouldn’t spot it as well at some points last year, but now I feel Ihave a very good handle on it.
“I feel comfortable bringing pace; if I want to put it
short in the box, and put it up high, sliders into the body, I feel like I definitely have good control of it now.’’
The third-seeded Sock, 24, is the highest-ranked American at No. 21 and will be seeking his third ATP title and second this year. Sock, who hasn’t dropped a set this week, will play topseeded Raonic at 3 p.m. in today’s men’s singles final of the ATP 250 tournament.
Like Sock, the 6-5 Canadian faced only one break point, so the final will pit two huge servers with spinning inside-out forehands to the backhand corner.
“You knowit’s going to be close, so it’s about keeping disciplined and a positive attitude on the court,” Raonic said.
Sock has played Raonic 10 times and is only 2-8 against the Canadian, but Sock did win their last meeting on a hard court in the Shanghai Masters last year, 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8).
“Milos .. he’s going to serve cannons, he’s going to take every ball and come to the net ASAP and put pressure on like he does everybody.
“I’m definitely playing with a lot of confidence, starting out the year with a title,’’ Sock said, referring to his win in New Zealand. “Any time on the court, I feel very strong, physically and mentally.’’