R16 : Florian (Djokovic) def. Vramvrim (Raonic) 7-5 4-6 7-5
Again a close match against Florian, with almost the same scoreline (7-6 in the third set at the ITST Open).
The first set was not very spectacular, he was better from the baseline of course, and I just held my service games thanks to my first serve (10 aces). Then at 5-5 on my serve I made some bad unforced errors and it was over.
In the second set I thought I had to be more aggressive. I managed to convert my first break point at 2-1, after a bad service game from Florian, but I screwed up my next service game with three unforced errors. I was pretty frustrated but I felt that I could keep up with his level. I had a 15-30 situation on his serve at 4-3, but he held. On his next service game though, he made some errors and I took the set 6-4.
I tried to push him early in the third set, hoping that he would have a tough time after he lost the second set, but instead he upped his level and I was in trouble on my serve at 1-1 with a break point, saved with an ace. Then it was very close as the ballstriking level kept rising but at 5-5 my first serve was not here and I made unforced errors trying too hard to beat Florian's Djokovic from the baseline. After this there was nothing to do but sit and watch him close out the match easily on his last service game.
A disappointing loss but a good match overall. As always Florian was impressive in key moments, well done and good luck to him
As for me, I feel that I can play well at the Australian Open, but it will be tough since I'm unseeded.
