Third seeded Milos Raonic successfully defended his San Jose Open crown by routing Denis Istomin 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 for his third career title on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Canadian dominated unseeded Istomin with his serve, hammering seven aces and winning 90 percent of his first serve points in the 79 minute match. “I feel amazing,” Raonic said. “It is great to come back here. There was a little more pressure than last year but I am really happy with the tennis I played this week.”
Raonic, who had a bye in the first round, didn’t drop a set in the $531,000 indoor tournament, winning four-straight matches at the HP Pavilion arena which also serves as the home of the NHL San Jose Sharks. The world No. 32 is also a perfect eight-for-eight in tiebreakers at the event over two years.
“This is special to me because it is a hockey arena,” said Raonic. “I am not the biggest hockey fan but it definitely makes me feel like I am at home.” Raonic, of Toronto, won the first set in a tiebreaker, closing it out with a 233 kph (145 mph) serve. He jumped out to a 6-1 lead, then dropped the next two points before serving for the set.
