Singles SF - Raonic. M vs Almagro. N

Milos Raonic VS Nicolas Almagro Previous Results Quarter Final - def Sela. D [7-6 (4), 6-3] Round 2 - def Hanescu. V [6-1, 6-4] Previous Results Quarter Final - def Sugita. Y [4-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4] Round 2 - def Darcis. S [](Ret'd)

Big-serving Raonic coasts into 2012 Aircel Chennai Open final

CHENNAI, Jan. 7, 2012 - Canadian fourth seed Milos Raonic fired in 17 aces as he coasted past Spanish second seed Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-4 in 72 minutes and into the third final of his career at the Aircel Chennai Open 2012 on Saturday.

World No. 31 Raonic backed his big serves with solid returns as he scalped the fourth top-10 player win of his career.

The 21-year-old Canadian was one of the biggest success stories on the Tour in 2011 when he climbed from 156 in the rankings to a career-high 25.

"He played really well and he served like a monster," Almagro said of his first meeting against the Canadian. "Over 80 per cent success in the first set for sure. With that serve you have many, many chances to win a match," the Spaniard said, referring to the 10 aces that Raonic pummeled in the first set.

Raonic broke Almagro in the seventh game and then blasted four aces to move ahead and win the opening set.

Raonic, who made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open last year, broke the Spaniard in the ninth game of the second set and then slammed three aces in the final game as he saved four break points to seal the match.

Raonic will next meet Serbian top seed Janko Tipsarevic in the finals on Sunday.

"It is an important day tomorrow, because the recognition you get as a Tour winner is different," Raonic said, looking ahead. "I am going into the final with a positive frame of mind.

"I am happy with my service game and if I am able to create opportunity in returns, I know I stand a good chance to win tomorrow."