Canadian World no.9 Milos Raonic announced his return to form, as he won his first title on the year, defeating Joao Sousa 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
The big server, in just his second final this year, recovered from dropping the second set breaking immediately in the third before maintaining serve the rest of the match. It is a big win for Raonic, and marks the first time since Indian Wells that he has reached the semi-finals or better of a tournament.
This was no easy victory however, as he was taken the distance somewhat surprisingly by the Portuguese Sousa, who had lost to Egor Gerasimov in Davis Cup action a week ago. This was the third final of the year for Sousa, having lost to Dominic Thiem in Umag, and Thomaz Bellucci in Geneva. He had vanquished Thiem in the semi-finals, and for much of this match seemed unperturbed by the imposing Raonic serve.
Raonic broke early, during the fourth game, capitalising on one of three break points and took the set despite Sousa forcing two break chances of his own. Things looked ominous for Sousa in set two, as Raonic forced seven break points, all within Sousa’s first two service games. But the world n0. 53 staved them off and immediately broke himself, capitalising on the tighter Raonic second serve. Both players then held relatively comfortably, as the fans in St Petersburg looked forward to an perhaps unexpected third set.
On paper, the final set went to form, Raonic breaking to lead 2-0 early on. At 3-1, Sousa fought for 15-40, and it seemed that we could have parity once more. But the massive Raonic serve dug him out of trouble, with two aces aiding his cause. He held, and Sousa then failed to truly threaten the Raonic serve, as both men held serve to the end. Both players were dismal on break point conversions. Raonic managed only two breaks from twelve, and Sousa only one from ten.
Raonic will be happy to add 250 points as he closes the gap on David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal in the battle for the ATP World Tour Finals. Sousa will be happy to just reflect on a return to form, and defending runner up points from this period last year, when he finished as the Metz runner-up.
