Singles QF - Sela. D vs Raonic. M

Dudi Sela VS Milos Raonic Previous Results Round 2 - def Paire. B [4-6, 6-2, 6-4] Round 1 - def Fognini. F [6-0, 6-1] Previous Results Round 2 - def Hanescu. V [6-1, 6-4]

Fourth seed Raonic blasts his way into the semifinals

CHENNAI, Jan. 6, 2012: Big-serving Canadian fourth seed Milos Raonic fired 15 aces as he swept aside Israeli Dudi Sela 7-6 (4), 6-3 to move into the semifinals of the 2012 Aircel Chennai Open on Friday.

World No. 31 Raonic wrapped up his quarterfinal match in 90 minutes after lifting his game several notches in the second set after a keenly contested opening set at the Centre Court.

Sela, ranked 83 in the world, matched Raonic, adjudged ATP Newcomer of the Year in 2011, but failed to capitalize on a break point cum set point at 6-all. Raonic, towering over his opponent at 196 cms, turned it around with an ace and was pretty unstoppable in the tie-break.

"Obviously I am happy with the result," the Canadian said. "There were a lot of things to be happy about, but a lot of things that I need to address for tomorrow.

"Today I think I served a lot better, but I was struggling to choose the right shots. Sometimes I was hesitant, and sometimes I was rushing too much, making it difficult for myself."

The 21-year-old Raonic, who jumped 131 places to a career-high 25 last year, broke Sela, 26, in the sixth game of the second set and moved up 5-2 with a thundering ace.

Raonic, who made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open last year, rifled in two more aces in the final game and sealed the match with a service winner.