It was a long-awaited triumphant return for Canada’s Milos Raonic.

 

WELCOME HOME @milosraonic!!!

Five years after losing to Frances Tiafoe on his home court, the local gets revenge in his first match back in Toronto with a three-set victory at the #NBO23 🚀 pic.twitter.com/IY5lGBUXpO

— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) August 8, 2023

 

The 32 year old Thornhill native battled American Frances Tiafoe and won a 3 set thriller Monday night in Toronto at the National Bank Open.

“I’ve known through practice, I’ve been able to see the level I can play,” Raonic told reporters after the match, “The thing I’ve always said, it doesn’t matter how much you do the right things, you never know when things click and when things come together for you. For me, it’s incredibly special for it to be here.”

The first set ended in an unusual ruling that did not go Raonic’s way, but he made sure it didn’t lead to his first round exit.

Tiafoe touched the net after making the winning shot in the opening set which would normally cost him the point.

Raonic says it was a confusing situation.

“I don’t have faith that they were being completely honest, but it is what it is,” Raonic shrugged.

The point went to Tiafoe after it was ruled the part of the net he touched was not in play in a singles match.

This is the third tournament appearance for Milos Raonic since returning to the ATP Tour in June after an injury absence of nearly two years.