Raonic Free Fall Continues At Queens

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Milos Raonic has floundered this year with subpar results, including today’s 76 76 loss to Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round at Queens Club.

Earlier this year Raonic reached the final of Delray Beach but defaulted the title to Jack Sock because of a groin injury which he said was suffered in the semifinal win vs Del Potro.

The 26 year old Raonic (22-7 on the year) has struggled all year with disappointing losses, losing the final of Istanbul to Cilic 76 63, losing to Goffin in Madrid 64 62, losing to Alexander Zverev in Rome in the quarterfinal, losing to Berdych in the Lyon SF and losing at Roland Garros R16 to Carreno Busta 86 in the fifth set.

The loss today to the 698 ranked Kokkinakis is especially upsetting because grass is the best surface of Raonic and the 21 year old Australian has barely played any matches over the last two years because of injuries. Also frustrating for Raonic is that he was zero for nine on break point chances.

Could it be that the ATP no. 6 has seen his best days on the Tour and blown his opportunities to win a major title?

It seems like the #NEXTGEN brigade is passing by the powerful but predictable Raonic who has possibly stopped improving and adding new elements to his once formidable arsenal.

 

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Kokkinakis may see Brian Baker in the mirror - let's hope not. Kokkinakis is obviously a top ten caliber potential player.

 

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Thompson keeps striking with these big wins - First Ferrer then Sock and now Andy goes down in flames. Thompson is doing something right with Hewitt in his corner though he is 0-2 this year vs Nishioka.

 

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I don't think Ivo will willingly supply his secrets. Hiring a spy and a drone to cover Karlovic's every move on and off the court could glean that information

 

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Got lucky Duke because right before I said that Kozlov lost in the grass Challenger to Santillan 6-3 in third but he fixed whatever was wrong and has won four out of five since that setback. Cilic is dangerous but he's also prone to having bad losses. He can overpower Kozlov but he can also underestimate Kozlov and get surprised by his trickiness. Big challenge for Kozlov but he's ready for anyone.

 

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Andrew; I don't recall ever seeing Isner and Ivo play together but one thing I am sure of - if these two played together for a whole year they would win at least two majors together

 

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Isner and Ivo played 2009 Aus Open together and lost 76 63 to Brzezicki and Calleri. They should have stuck together for a few more tries.

 

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Bryan writes:

Had Kokkinakis even won a match this year before Raonic? His freefall was a slow moving train wreck. As for Raonic, put a fork in his chances at Wimbledon.

 

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Scoop Malinowski writes:

Yes Bryan Kokkinakis did win a singles match earlier this year before Raonic and he won a doubles titles in Brisbane. Put a fork in Raonic's chances to win a major period maybe. Because he tried everything possible hired every coach possible and yet he still fell short. Raonic may have lost his self belief that he can actually win a major.