MELBOURNE, Australia – Canadian Milos Raonic finished a 7-6 (3), 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko with an ace on Tuesday in the first round of the Australian Open.
Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., who lost the Brisbane final this month to Roger Federer, fired 28 untouchable serves, his best at 228 km/h.
“I’m very happy with how I played,” said Raonic. “I competed well and managed to get through.
“I’m hoping 2015 can be my year. I’ve put in a lot of work and I believe I can do win a Grand Slam title. I’ve come here to play.”
He will face Donald Young of the United States in the second round of the Grand Slam tournament. Young beat Tim Puetz of Germany, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to advance from the first round. Raonic beat Young twice last season, first in Washington, D.C., and then indoors in Basel, Switzerland.
Raonic concluded Tuesday’s match with his trademark stinging serve, joining Monday winner Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., in the second round in straight sets.
Vancouver’s Vasek Pospisil played later Tuesday, facing American Sam Querrey in the first round.
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