Big-serving fourth seed Milos Raonic has moved safety through to the men’s singles semifinals at this year’s Brisbane International with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over unseeded Lucas Pouille on Pat Rafter Arena.
The 14th-ranked Canadian sent down 12 aces on his way past the 78th-ranked Frenchman in the one-hour, 17-minute clash.
It marked a stark turnaround from the three-set struggle in Raonic’s opening match yesterday against Croatian qualifier Ivan Dodig.
“I think yesterday I was being aggressive and coming forward; today I thought I came forward as well, but I was probably more efficient today. Overall I think it was a better performance today,” Raonic said.
A runner-up in Brisbane last year, he awaits the winner of Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Australia’s Bernard Tomic.
“Bernie, he’s doing things well. He’s serving well, making (Kei) play a lot”, Raonic said of the men’s singles quarterfinal proceeding his match. “He’s hitting the ball well. He’s hitting through the court and keeping Kei off balance and so forth.
“Also with Kei, like you know, he’s going to be there. He moves really well and gets in position well and likes to move the ball around the court.
“It will be two matches you approach differently, but at the same time, both players like to play and have rhythm. Fortunately for me, my game is to take that away.”