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Former world no. 3 Milos Raonic is back in action! Milos entered the s-Hertogenbosch ATP grass event, returning to the competition for the first time since July 2021. The 32-year-old faced Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round and earned a 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and 24 minutes.
As was expected after such a long break, the Canadian needed some time to find the rhythm. He hit four double faults in the encounter's first game and got broken in the third. However, Milos served well after that, firing 15 aces and defending four out of five break chances.
Kecmanovic could not follow that level, dropping 42% of the points in his games and losing serve three times from ten opportunities given to his rival. Raonic grabbed two breaks in the opener and another at the start of the second.
He barely lost a point behind the initial shot and sealed the deal in style for his first ATP win since March 2021!
Milos Raonic scored his first victory since March 2023.
As we already said, Milos landed four double faults in the encounter's first game and faced three break points.
He saved them and held to avoid an early setback. Miomir squandered game points in game two and lost serve after Milos' forehand crosscourt winner. The Canadian netted a slice in the third game to get broken and bring the rival back to the positive side.
They held at love in games four and five before Kecmanovic experienced issues at 2-3. The Serb denied two break points and closed the game to stay in touch. Raonic clinched the seventh game at 15 with a forehand winner at the net and painted a forehand crosscourt winner in the next one to grab a break and forge a 5-3 advantage.
Milos served for the set in game nine and closed it with a forehand winner for 6-3 after 47 minutes. Kecmanovic wasted game points at the start of the second set and lost serve following Raonic's forehand down the line winner.
The Canadian confirmed the break with a service winner in game two and moved 3-1 in front with an ace in game four. Both players served well after that early break, and Miomir could not pull it back. Raonic opened a 5-3 gap with an ace, and Kecmanovic held in the next one to prolong the battle.
Milos served for the victory at 5-4 and landed a forehand down the line winner for three match points. He seized the first with an ace down the T line to secure his first ATP victory in over two years.