Indian Wells: Milos Raonic to face Dominic Thiem in semis

TIL Desk Sports/ Canadian Milos Raonic fired down 13 aces to defeat Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-4 and set up a BNP Paribas Open semi-final against Dominic Thiem after the Austrian’s opponent, Gael Monfils, withdrew injured before their match on Thursday.

Serbian teenager Kecmanovic failed to convert any of his three break-point opportunities against a ruthless Raonic, who unleashed a torrent of punishing groundstrokes on a sunny and breezy day in Indian Wells.

The 13th seed’s serving accuracy was not as precise as it has been, with just over half of his first deliveries finding the target, but when he was able to get one in play the Canadian won 88 percent of those points.

“In a few key moments my serve really helped me out,” said Raonic, who reached the semis for the second year in a row.”I just tried to play consistent, be aggressive when I had the first chance.”  The Canadian will face Thiem for a place in the final after the seventh seed’s quarter-final opponent Monfils said he was unable to play due to an injured Achilles.