The Canadian Open 2023 was sizzling with tennis drama and an unfathomable comeback during yesterday’s matchup between Frances Tiafoe and Milos Raonic. Although Frances is currently ranked in the top 10, going up against Milos Raonic, who has played only five matches since 2021, was painfully difficult.
For the past two years, former No. 3 Milos stayed on the sidelines due to injuries. Just like the marvelous Kei Nishikori, the 32-year-old Canadian star is also part of a tennis generation that never backs down. After his long break, Milos stepped back into the tennis court with a huge smile and obliterated his opponent on his home court.
Milos Raonic defeats No. 10 Frances Tiafoe at National Bank Open 2023
Back in 2018, Milos Raonic and Frances Tiafoe played against each other in the same National Bank Open, during which the home favorite Milos faced a devastating defeat (7-6, 4-6, 6-1). This year, yet again, the same duo fought for glory in three sets, with the outcomes being very different from last time.
After the tiebreaker in the first set, which Big Foe won just like he did last time, Milos turned things around. His biggest strength has always been his serves. The last time he went up against Tiafoe, he hit 20 aces, and this time, the Canadian star won the match with a whooping 32 ace serves!
WELCOME HOME @milosraonic!!!
Five years after losing to Frances Tiafoe on his home court, the local gets revenge in his first match back in Toronto with a three-set victory at the #NBO23 🚀 pic.twitter.com/IY5lGBUXpO
— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) August 8, 2023
Milos Raonic defeated Frances Tiafoe and succeeded in the first round of the Canadian Open with a formidable ace in the match point.
This unthinkable comeback in his fifth match since 2021 has the entire tennis community dazed. Tennis commentator Jose Morgado praised the Canadian star, “Serving like he did today, he can still beat almost anybody.” Milos has proven himself to be a relentless and fervent tennis professional, and the world of tennis looks forward to seeing more of him.
WOW! Playing just his 5th match in 2 years, former #3 Milos Raonic gets a top 10 win at home, in Toronto.
6-7(12), 7-6(4), 6-3 over Frances Tiafoe. 37 aces.
Monumental stuff specially after losing the 1st set the way he did.
Serving like he did today, he can still beat…
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 8, 2023
Frances Tiafoe, Milos Raonic had bizarre net incident at NBO2023
During the match, one winner shot by Frances Tiafoe ignited a very heated argument among the chair umpire, Frances Tiafoe, and Milos Raonic. Since there was a lot at stake for both players at that first set-point, neither of them were backing down.
During the first set tiebreaker’s setpoint, Milos hit a forehand topspin that roughly made it past the net. Frances Tiafoe ran all the way from the baseline to the net before the ball died. This was when Tiafoe made the winner shot hitting an amazing cross-court forehand.
However, to gain his balance back from the speedy run, he tightly held onto the corner of the net.
THE DRAMA!!! 😱
Have you EVER seen anything like this?#NBO23 pic.twitter.com/dQhM1VXqJS
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 8, 2023
According to the rules, players are not supposed to touch the net when the ball is still alive, and that is how the drama began. The chair umpire first gave the point to Milos taking into consideration this rule however, quickly changed his stance. Since Frances only touched the end of the net that is there for the double matches, the point was given back to Big Foe.
The super-experienced chair umpire explained how since that extreme of the net would not be considered for single’s matches. Even though losing this setpoint seemed to have greatly frustrated Milos, he took the next 2 sets and defeated the American.
What are your thoughts on Frances Tiafoe’s chances this US Open? Also, let us know what you think about Milos Raonic’s amazing comeback in the comments section below!
