Melzer downs Raonic to grab Memphis title

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Jurgen Melzer wasn't about to let an aching toe get in the way as he faced one of the hottest players on ATP Tour, who was making a secondstraight appearance in the Memphis final.

The unseeded Melzer defeated Milos Raonic 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) in the final of the $1.37 million ATP and WTA Memphis Open to capture his fourth career ATP title on Sunday.

" Who would have thought I would come here break my toe and end up winning the tournament," Melzer said.

Melzer broke the big toe on his right foot when he tripped over his bed in the hotel room on Thursday night.

He decided against putting a wrap or cast on it and went out the next day and beat top seed John Isner in the quarterfinals.

Melzer, who upset Isner and third seed Radek Stepanek en route to the final, clinched Sunday's victory in a second set tiebreak when Raonic hammered a backhand into the net.

The left- handed Austrian earned $278,000 in prize money for his first win since successfully defending his crown in his hometown of Vienna two years ago.

" This is a very important time for me," Melzer said. "I am happy I pulled it through."

It was the second year in a row the fourth-seeded Canadian Raonic lost in the Memphis final after winning the week before in San Jose.

Melzer broke Raonic's mighty serve in the seventh game of the second set to cut Raonic's lead to 4- 3. Melzer then survived a set point in the 10th game before both players held serve to set up the tie-break.

Melzer also broke Roanic's serve in the 11th game of the first set to take a 6-5 lead. He ended the 41minute opening set with an ace out wide on his second set point that Raonic couldn't reach with his backhand.

By taking the first set, Melzner snapped Raonic's 2012 win streak at 19 consecutive sets. Raonic had not lost a set since he fell to Aussie Lleyton Hewitt in the third round of the Australia Open in January.