Goffin sets up Raonic semi
BELGIAN David Goffin continued his giant-killing run at Indian Wells as he stormed into the last four of the BNP Paribas Open with a 7-6(4) 6-2 upset victory over former US Open champion Marin Cilic on Thursday.
A day after ousting third seed Stan Wawrinka, Goffin battled through to his first Masters 1 000 semifinal where he will meet Canadian Milos Raonic, a 7-5 6-3 victor over Frenchman Gael Monfils.
Goffin saved 11 of 12 break points against tall Croatian Cilic before sealing the win in just over an hour-and-a-half.
“I’m really happy with the way I managed the important points ... it was the key of the match, to win the first set, and to be more relaxed in the second.”
Raonic relinquished an early break to Monfils in the first set but broke back in the 12th game to go 1-0 up and carried the momentum into the second stanza before serving out for the victory after 90 minutes.
The Canadian was sidelined in February because of a groin injury but he is ready to take on Goffin.
Raonic said: “He’s playing well. If I do the right things I can give myself a chance. I think I have shown that this year, and I hope I can keep showing that.” – Reuters TERRY Pilkadaris of Australia grabbed the lead at the Hero Indian Open golf tournament yesterday after firing nine birdies for an impressive second round score of eight-under-par 64.
Pilkadaris, a three-time Asian Tour winner, dropped only one shot on the 18th hole to return on 13-under-par 131 at the challenging Delhi Golf Club course.
Spaniard Nacho Elvira trailed in second place by three shots following a 68, while Ben Evans of England was a further two shots back on 136 after carding 66.
Rashid Khan, who won his first Asian Tour title at the Delhi course, was the best-placed Indian, shooting a 68 to share fourth place with Jorge Campillo (71) on 137.
Lee Slattery of England produced the shot of the day, firing a magical albatross on the par-five eighth hole.
It was his career’s first albatross and the Asian Tour’s 21st.
The 42-year-old Pilkadaris, without a win since 2005, said he benefited from his past experience of playing on the tree-lined course.
“I felt really good out there and I kept going at flags,” said Pilkadaris.
“I kept giving myself chances and it was nice to take advantage of them. I’ve played about 40 rounds at least here and you got to keep it straight and on the fairway,” he said.
Defending champion and reigning Asian Tour number one Anirban Lahiri carded a 71 to sit in 14th place, seven shots behind Pilkadaris.
Padraig Harrington, a three-time Major champion, will miss the last two rounds after finishing one-shot outside the halfway cut.
ý Australia’s Jason Day stormed to a five-stroke lead during Friday’s second round of the PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational after shooting a a bogey-free seven-under par 65 at Bay Hill.
Last year’s PGA Championship winner has his eyes firmly set on back-to-back major titles with the Masters looming in only three weeks at Augusta National. – AFP