PARIS, May 29, 2016
Albert Ramos-Vinolas has become the first quarterfinalist of the French Open, following his biggest win of his career on Day 8 at Roland Garros. The 28-year-old Spaniard dismissed the tournament’s number eight Milos Raonic 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Ramos-Vinolas, who had recorded his frist match-wins at Roland Garros since 2011, capitalized on five of his 14 break point chances, producing only 13 unforced errors. The only lefthander still in the draw converted his third match point after two hours and 20 minutes.
VAMOS! 🙌 Ramos-Vinolas is through to his 1st-ever Major QF with a 6-2 6-4 6-4 win over No8 seed Raonic. #RG16 https://t.co/8jMcMvt15S
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) 29. Mai 2016
“It is difficult to explain how I feel. There are a lot of emotions. I lost four times in a row in the first round here, and this year, quarterfinals for the moment. So I’m really, really happy. I think I played a very good and smart match,” Ramos told afterwards.
“I returned very well. It’s not easy to play here against Raonic but I managed to keep my cool throughout. Then I think the weather also helped, because it slowed down his service a bit, allowing me to send the ball back. So I was competitive. The match went well. I think in the main games I was there,” the world number 55 added clinching his second victory over a top 10-player on his 23rd attempt. The Barcelona native beat Roger Federer at the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai last year.
He will next take on reigning French Open champion and third seed Stan Wawrinka, who overcame Viktor Troicki with a 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 victory in two hours and 56 minutes.
“Last week I played him in Geneva, and he won very easily. I think it’s a match where he played really well. He didn’t leave any opportunity for me to play my tennis. But this is another tournament. It’s another opportunity for me to fight. It’s going to be very difficult to say. Of course Wawrinka is the favorite. But I am going to trying to win,” Ramos is looking forward to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Milos Raonic
Raonic was obviously disappointed but had to admit the defeat.
“He played well. He’s having for sure the best week he’s had on tour, and he’s doing things well. He’s moving the ball around well. He’s playing deep. He’s personally moving well. He did things quite efficiently today,” the 25-year-old Canadian world stated.
Raonic surprise earlier the week, when he announced that he will bring John McEnroe onto his team.
“I was sort of just looking for another set of eyes to be a bit more efficient on grass, and I think people are seeing it as just plain folks on grass, that’s what it’s far from. It’s about generally improving. I want to improve putting more pressure on my opponents,” the world number nine explained.
“I feel like I was a lot more efficient at the beginning of the year coming forward, and it’s something that I would like to put a lot of attention to and find a way. And it just works out with grass that’s probably the thing that will benefit me the most. Now there is going to be the three weeks leading to Wimbledon that we are going to work, and really put some attention to that and just find that sort of groove, that efficiency. But it is not just with the intention of Wimbledon. It’s about generally improving.
“I’m sure that John will consult throughout Wimbledon as well, but he has his obligations through Wimbledon. I’ll have Carlos (Moya) there with me, but I’m sure from aside he watches tennis. At the end of the day he loves tennis. He’s going to see matches. I’m sure he’ll have some quality advice to give,” Raonic told and added:
“It’s a great honor and there’s a lot I want to achieve. I’m what seems maybe far from it today, but I feel like I’m a lot closer and I’m going to try to do everything I can to sort of maximize giving myself that opportunity to achieve those goals.”
