Indian Wells Masters 2019: Milos Raonic overcomes late scare to defeat Marcos Giron

Rudi Schuller

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Indian Wells Masters 2019: Milos Raonic overcomes late scare to defeat Marcos Giron image

Milos Raonic mounted an epic comeback to defeat qualifier Marcos Giron 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, in the third round of the 2019 BNP Paribas Open on Monday in Indian Wells, Calif.

Giron had to win four matches just for the right to face Raonic in the round of 32, including a three-set victory over World No. 24 Alex de Minaur on Saturday to set up Monday's meeting. It was apparent early on just how 25-year-old Giron managed to put together his impressive run, as he stood toe-to-toe with 14th-ranked Raonic and was within two games of eliminating Canada's top-ranked player.

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In total, it took 22 aces and a near-perfect end to the third set for Raonic to overcome his American opponent and earn a spot in the round of 16 for the third straight year.

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Giron didn't give an inch in the first set, saving the lone break point opportunity Raonic had while finding also finding success against the Canadian's daunting service game.

The result was a set that would be decided by which player broke serve first, and Giron saved his first successful break for the final point of the set.

Giron's steadfastness continued in the second set, with a visibly frustrated Raonic unable to convert three more break points. Raonic eventually found a way past the American, breaking Giron's serve on the fourth try of the set and riding that success to force a deciding frame.

Whatever momentum the Canadian gained from claiming the second set evaporated almost instantly, as Giron managed to convert a break point in Raonic's first service game of the third. It looked as though the World No. 217 would complete the giant slaying as he cruised through the early portion of the set, jumping to a 3-0 lead and pushing it to 4-1.

However, Raonic's experience and quality rose to the forefront as the Canadian fought back valiantly. Raonic broke Giron's serve twice and was dominant when serving, hitting eight aces and zero double faults in the deciding set as he took over the match and ended the American's hopes of moving on.

Raonic will face Alexander Zverev or Jan-Lennard Struff in the fourth round.

Rudi Schuller