Live set-by-set coverage of Andy Murray's second match at the O2 Arena this evening.
ANDY MURRAY kept his hopes alive of progress in the Barclays ATP World Tour finals with a fine 6-3, 7-5 victory over Milos Raonic at the O2 Arena last night. The 27-year-old Scot now faces Roger Federer as he bids to reach the semi-finals this weekend.
22.15: Andy Murray reaction
"It's nice, obviously last year was tough to miss with the back surgery but I'm very happy to be back, it's an unbelievable court to play on," Murray said. "On Sunday, there wasn't much magic. Today I came up with some good shots in the right moments. Milos didn't serve as well as he can and that helped."
22.06: Andy Murray 2-0 Milos Raonic
Murray looked confident, focused in the early exchanges. At 1-1, Raonic looked as if he was cruising to another hold but Murray hung in, taking 0-40 to deuce as the Canadian's serve and forehand misfired. A break point was earned then taken as Raonic looped a forehand long. At 2-1 with the ball in his hand, Murray was now in charge of the match. He stuttered, though, in game four, offering a break point, his first of the match. A skewed backhand saw Raonic claw back to 2-2. Murray was livid. Raonic was energised. He served powerfully at the beginning of game five but a defiant Murray forced deuce with a brilliant backhand winner down the line and then another with an aggressive forehand. However, Raonic rallied and, with the aid of a netcord, held his serve. The Raonic serve percentage was improving and Murray, too, was obdurate on serve. The match then progressed to 5-4 Raonic. Murray was serving to stay in the set. He held with some comfort. The pressure was now on Raonic. Brilliant Murray play forced two break points and Raonic failed to plac ed a half volley over the net. Murray was now serving for the match. A shanked forehand from Raonic gave the Scot match point. But the Canadian plundered a weak second serve. Murray forged out a second match point and a Raonic forehand drifted long to the Scot's joy.
21.10: Andy Murray 1-0 Milos Raonic
There is no secret to beating Milos Raonic. The first rule is to neutralise his 135mph-plus serve for at least one game. And then capitalise by breaking it. This is what Andy Murray achieved in game seven of the first set. He had already eked out two break points against the 6ft 5 in Canadian in game six but he could not quite grasp one, letting one slip with a loose forehand. Game six was the crucial moment. With Murray leading 3-2, he again forced Raonic, who first serve percentage rate was in the 30s, to offer two break points. Murray took the first gleefully. He then faced that Murray moment when he can be vulnerable, immediately after a breakthrough. But he held his nerve and his technique to hold and take a 5-2 lead. Raonic was not finished, though. He held his serve and then pushed Murray to deuce. But the Olympic gold medallist fired in a serve the Canadian could not return. The battle to stay in the Barclays ATP Tour finals was off to an excellent start.
20.30: Scene setter
On the line. And online. Andy Murray faces a crucial match against Milos Raonic in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London tonight. Both the Scot and the 24-year-old Candadian lost in the first set of matches in Group B and desperately need a victory to progress to the semi-finals. Raonic is one of the strongest servers on tour, racking up more than 1000 aces this season. But Murray is a strong returner. He also needs to serve much better than he did in his defeat to Kei Nishikori on Sunday and must try to move the statuesque Raonic around the court. The 27-year-old Scot has had trouble with Raonic, with the Canadian leading 3-1 and winning the only encounter this season. The match will be reported here set by set, followed by a full match report.
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