The Canadian Press
TORONTO—Milos Raonic has warmed up to the same song at every match of the Rogers Cup: “My House” by Flo Rida.
The song already is omnipresent at sporting events, but it especially reflects how Raonic wants to play at the ATP Tour event in his hometown—dominating every set and showing a new-found understanding of the short game.
The Canadian easily dispatched American qualifier Jared Donaldson 6-2, 6-3 last night in the third round of the Rogers Cup.
Raonic now will face France’s Gael Monfils on centre court at York University’s Aviva Centre in the quarter-finals today.
“I’m taking care of my own things, creating some opportunities,” Raonic said of his aggressive play.
“I’m taking time away from the other guy, making the guy, from what I can tell, [on] the other side of the net uncomfortable, not giving him too much rhythm,” he noted.
Raonic, from nearby Thornhill, Ont., established his dominance over Donaldson from the very first serve—hitting 235 km/h on the radar gun.
He fired four aces to earn his first game and won the set with a slicing backhand volley at the net, pumping his fist as the crowd roared its approval.
But it was a different story for Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard yesterday at the women’s tournament in Montreal.
She bowed out after falling 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to qualifier Kristina Kucova in a third round match she looked to let slip away after an impressive opening set.
