Milos Raonic unleashed a barrage of serves, breaking an ATP record with 47 aces in a thrilling three-set victory over Cameron Norrie in the first round of the Queen’s Club Championships on Monday. Raonic’s blistering performance surpassed the previous three-set record of 45 aces set by Ivo Karlovic in 2015, showcasing the Canadian’s enduring power.
Raonic, who has been battling injuries in recent years and is now ranked 186th in the world, showed flashes of his former brilliance, highlighting the potency of his serve. He saved two match points in the final tiebreak, ultimately securing a 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-6 (9) victory.
The match was a clash of styles, with Raonic’s thunderous serve contrasting with Norrie’s more consistent baseline game. Norrie, a former runner-up at the tournament, fought valiantly but was unable to break Raonic’s serve throughout the match.
Despite the loss, Norrie had moments of brilliance, including holding a match point in the final tiebreak. However, Raonic’s relentless serving and a crucial forehand winner ultimately sealed the victory.
The tournament also saw other intriguing matches. Seventh-seeded Holger Rune, struggling on the slippery grass surface, suffered a surprising three-set defeat to Jordan Thompson of Australia. Rune criticized the court conditions, claiming it was “terrible” due to the damp grass.
Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe retired during his match against Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata after a nasty fall while trailing 7-5, 4-6, 1-0. Third-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, the 2014 champion, enjoyed a comfortable win, defeating Adrian Mannarino of France 6-1, 6-2.
The Queen’s Club Championships continue to deliver unexpected twists and turns, with the tournament’s unpredictable nature making it a thrilling spectacle for fans.
