ITFWORLD SPRING 2016 27
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AND KERBER STUNS
Raonic emerged the danger man of
the tournament, coming off a Brisbane
title win over Federer and a first Top 5
scalp in a major, that of Wawrinka, in a
quality five-setter. But just as we began
to 'believe in the Sleeve', with Raonic
dominating Murray in the hot opening
sets of their semi, an adductor injury all
but ended the Canadian's charge, leaving
him "probably the most heartbroken I've
felt on court." At 25, it remains to be seen
whether Raonic will ever be a durable
contender for the game's biggest prizes.
All the glittering spoils seem
Djokovic's for the taking. "I'm not here
because I played the same tennis as last
year" he warned. "The wolf running uphill
is always hungrier than the wolf standing
on the hill." Djokovic has commanded the
heights for four of the past five years but
he's still charging uphill. And ravenous
for Paris.
If the men's singles was a coronation,
the women's event was a stunning coup.
It was Andy Murray's fifth loss
in five Australian Open finals
Angelique Kerber survived match point against her in
the first round en route to her first Grand Slam victory