Buoyant Milos Raonic and David Ferrer expressed their hunger for further improvement in 2016 after beginning the new season in style at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Raonic lost only 10 points on his serve in beating fellow Mubadala debutant Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-4 at the International Tennis Stadium, Zayed Sports City, prior to which Ferrer had thrashed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 6-1 in just 54 minutes.
Raonic finished 2015 as the world number 14 despite an injury-ravaged year, although he has his sights set on far loftier goals in 2016.
“I feel as close to 100 per cent as I have done in a long time. Let’s say I feel 97 per cent,” said the 25-year-old Canadian, who was delighted with his “efficient” display against Anderson.
“I think I can break through and make a big result, much bigger than I have in the past. I’d love to win grand slam by the end of my career – I am not a patient guy.”
Raonic envisages “a tough match” against world number four Stanislas Wawrinka in Friday’s second Mubadala semi-final, given that the Swiss has beaten him in all their four previous meetings.
However, he feels if all aspects of his game click, he “can do quite well”.
Meanwhile, Ferrer says he cannot rest on his laurels given the rising standards in tennis, declaring that 2015 was his most memorable year despite his five titles being two shy of his most successful season in 2012.
“I think all tennis players are better than five years ago,” he said. “If I don’t improve my game, I would not be in the top 10.”
“I am more happy with last year than 2012 because I improved my game and my mentality,” added Ferrer, who attributed his comfortable victory over Tsonga to his greater consistency.
“In 2012, I was younger and my fitness was perfect. But now I am more aggressive on my serve and my consistency is better. I also changed my racket to have more power.”
The two-time Mubadala runner-up hopes to maintain his current high level when he meets compatriot Rafael Nadal in Friday’s first semi-final, a player who has a convincing 24-6 win-loss record over Ferrer.
However, Ferrer has beaten Nadal both times they have met in Abu Dhabi – in the 2011 and 2013 semi-finals – although Ferrer went on to lose to Novak Djokovic in the finals on each occasion.
“Tomorrow I will try and play similar like today. It’s going to be a tough match for sure as he’s one of the best players in the world.”
The man he vanquished on Thursday, Tsonga, was effusive in his praise of his conqueror, who broke his serve three times in each set.
“He’s really good and really consistent. He always puts the ball in court and runs fast. He’s got agility when he’s on the stretch.”
Tsonga will have the chance to redeem himself in Friday’s fifth-place play-off against Anderson, but lamented the fact that he had not spent more time on court against Ferrer.
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
David Ferrer bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 6-1
Milos Raonic bt Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-4
