Raonic sets up all-Canadian match at Madrid Open with win over Dimitrov

MADRID — Milos Raonic defeated third-seed Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday at the Madrid Open to set up an all-Canadian third-round match with teenager Denis Shapovalov.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., fired 12 aces and only faced break point twice in the 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 victory over Dimitrov. It was Raonic’s second win in five career matches with the Bulgarian, who is currently ranked fourth in the world.

Raonic, ranked 24th on the ATP Tour, faces Shapovalov on Thursday in the first meeting between the Davis Cup teammates.

Shapovalov, the world No. 43 from Richmond Hill, Ont., hit 38 winners to defeat France’s Benoit Paire 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted just over two hours.

In other early matches, 11th-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut beat Jared Donaldson 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-4 in a first-round encounter and Robin Haase ended a four-match losing streak by beating Hyeon Chung 6-2, 6-0.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

In women’s play, top-ranked Simona Halep reached the third round by beating Elise Martens 6-0, 6-3.

Halep converted her fifth match point to win her 14th straight match in Madrid and stay on track for a third consecutive title in the Spanish capital.

The 16th-ranked Mertens had been playing great tennis this year but struggled from the start at the Magic Box, ending with 31 unforced errors and five double faults.

The Belgian player was coming off an impressive 13-match winning streak, with titles in Morocco and Switzerland. She also won in Hobart earlier this year and reached the Australian Open semifinals, where she lost to eventual champion Caroline Wozniacki.

Halep will next face Kristyna Pliskova, who defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5, 6-2.

In another second-round match, Petra Kvitova defeated Monica Puig 6-3, 7-6 (8) for her seventh straight win.

___

With files from The Associated Press.

The Canadian Press