Raonic advances in straight sets at Australian Open
Milos Raonic of Canada serves to Illya Marchenko of Ukraine during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday. AP
MELBOURNE — Canada’s Milos Raonic defeated Ukrainian qualifier Illya Marchenko 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-3 to advance to the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
The eighth-seeded Raonic was a semifinalist at Wimbledon last year, but has never been beyond the fourth round at Melbourne Park in four previous appearances.
He is coming off a run to the final of the Brisbane International earlier this month where he lost a three-setter to Roger Federer.
Wearing his trademark protective sleeve on his right arm, Raonic fired 30 aces against Marchenko, including on match point. He had 48 winners overall to counter 30 unforced errors.
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