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Novak Djokovic proves an insurmountable challenge as Milos Raonic bows out in the Madrid quarter-finals

Novak Djokovic proves an insurmountable challenge as Milos Raonic bows out in the Madrid quarter-finals

It’s a challenge to get a ball past Novak Djokovic. It’s hard as heck to go through him. And it’s a near-impossible task to get around him these days – the last few years, really.

Milos Raonic went through that entire checklist of options. And even though the world No. 1 needed an hour and 44 minutes to beat him, it was still a rather straightforward 6-3, 6-4 victory, one that puts Djokovic in the Madrid semi-finals against Kei Nishikori of Japan.

Of small consolation to Raonic was that, at 2-2 in the first set, he had already equaled the number of games he won in their last meeting in the finals of the Indian Wells tournament in March. But he seemed healthy this time, not hampered by the recurring adductor issue. He came to the court armed with as much patience as his aggressive game can conjure up and a first-serve percentage significantly improved from his previous-round’s win over No. 7 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

None of it was nearly enough.

When it was over, Djokovic was still annoyed with himself. He was angrily snatching off his wristbands, muttering to himself, grabbing at his various bags. Not smiling.

You could make a case Djokovic might have executed better in a couple of areas. One was converting break points; Djokovic went 2-for-10 there, many of them saved by good play from Raonic.

The other was the Serb’s execution when Raonic came forward; the Canadian went 17-for-22 at the net and, to be honest, sometimes he came up on a bluff, a mis-hit, or a wing and a proverbial prayer. Djokovic didn’t make the passing shots.

The 25-year-old Canadian had reached the Madrid quarter-finals playing predominantly from the baseline; despite the increase in his aggressiveness towards the forecourt this season, his net approaches in Madrid had been in the single digits for most of his matches.

But Raonic knew what everyone in the tennis universe knew: if he tried to stay in the backcourt rallies with the best, most consistent, most pinpoint-accurate rallier in the game, he was going to lose.

If he could have, he certainly would have come in more. But even the net approaches Raonic did have were in large part manufactured; Djokovic keeps the ball so deep, so often, that unless his opponent is serving-and volleying and taking the initiative from the get-go, he gives up few legitimate opportunities in that area.

There is probably no square inch of the service box that Novak Djokovic can't usually reach - especially on a clay court (TennisTV stats)
There is probably no square inch of the service box that Novak Djokovic can't usually reach - especially on a clay court (TennisTV stats)

That was the one thing Raonic didn’t try; there was perhaps one serve-and-volley attempt in the match, one that gave him a makeable volley. But he missed the volley. And that was it.

That body serve that tied Tsonga up in knots during the previous match? Raonic tried it on Djokovic. It’s a great play; but the world’s best returner nearly always managed to get the ball back in play. And he nearly always managed to get it back deep into the court (see chart on left, from Tennis TV late in the first set).

If Raonic didn’t come up with a howling winner on that second shot, it was like the reset button was pushed and, sooner rather than later, Djokovic would hit a shot (usually to the Raonic’s forehand corner) that would open up the court and have the Canadian flailing.

He kept his cool, for the most part. But the internal tension came to a boil during a long, futile but high-volume discussion with chair umpire Carlos Bernardes halfway through the second set.

Bernardes had evidently given Raonic a soft warning for going over the prescribed time between points, and Raonic felt wronged in being called up in this particular instance. He went on to make possibly the worst argument in the history of tennis in his own defence – arguing that because he had been at the net on that point, it consequently took him more time to get all the way back behind the baseline to get a towel to dab up some sweat before the next point. In other words, because of that net approach, he should be given extra time allowance over the prescribed 25 seconds.

Based on his argument in defence of a time violation in the second set of his match against Novak Djokovic, Milos Raonic should probably rule out defence attorney from his post-career options. (From TennisTV.com)
Based on his argument in defence of a time violation in the second set of his match against Novak Djokovic, Milos Raonic should probably rule out defence attorney from his post-career options. (From TennisTV.com)

As cerebral as Raonic is, that one was definitely below his standards. But it was pretty humorous (except perhaps to Raonic).

Surprisingly, Raonic actually had the edge on the rallies that lasted nine shots or more. It was a thin margin – 10 points to nine – but something to build on. On rallies lasting nine shots or less, Djokovic was ahead 66 to 48.

That’s still actually not bad. But in the end, it doesn’t reflect the competitive level of the match.

If Djokovic converts more of the break points, as he’s wont to do, and makes more passing shots – as he usually does – the score would have been far more lopsided.

Perhaps that’s why he was annoyed. But in the end, you don’t get bonus points for the scoreboard.

Tennis - Madrid Open - Novak Djokovic of Serbia v Milos Raonic of Canada - Madrid, Spain - 6/5/16. Djokovic celebrates his victory. REUTERS/Sergio Perez
Tennis - Madrid Open - Novak Djokovic of Serbia v Milos Raonic of Canada - Madrid, Spain - 6/5/16. Djokovic celebrates his victory. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

You know Raonic is going to keep analyzing this unfavourable matchup which in seven meetings, has produced just one set on his side of the ledger. He’s in good company there; every other player on the ATP Tour is trying to figure out the  solution to a daunting conundrum.

He could get a chance as early as next week in Rome; there is a possibility the two could square off in the quarter-finals again.

But Raonic will have other problems to solve first.

The draw is already out, and Raonic will play Italian wild card Marco Cecchinato in the first round – the same Monte Carlo resident he faced in the first round of “their” home tournament in Monaco. After that, it gets complicated. Raonic’s second-round opponent could be Aussie Nick Kyrgios, who defeated him in Miami.

Then, on paper, it would be No. 5 seed Rafael Nadal.

Raonic’s countryman Vasek Pospisil drew Italian Andreas Seppi in the first round, while Genie Bouchard will play Jelena Jankovic of Serbia.