Australian Open: Three hours, one break as Raonic beats Robredo

Milos Raonic of Canada celebrates after defeating Tommy Robredo of Spain in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Milos Raonic beat Tommy Robredo in unusual fashion at the Australian Open on Thursday when he secured victory with the only service break of the match — after nearly three hours of play, and in the very last game.

The big-serving Canadian finally broke Robredo’s serve at the 12th attempt and in the 36th game to win it 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 and reach the third round after two hours and 55 minutes.

Raonic’s reward is a round of 32 meeting with either Serbian 21st seed Viktor Troicki, who won last week’s Sydney International, or American qualifier Tim Smyczek.

The Canadian 13th seed, who reached the quarter-finals of last year’s Australian Open where he lost to eventual winner Novak Djokovic, hit 24 aces among his total of 75 winners.

The experienced Spaniard Robredo resisted stoically throughout and saved 11 of 12 break point opportunities until he finally crumbled at the crucial moment in the third set.