Milos Raonic of Canad advanced at the Stockholm Open on Tuesday. FILE PHOTO: Getty Images/Mark RALSTONMark RALSTON/Getty Images
Canadian Milos Raonic began with a win in his third tournament back after hip surgery, advancing over former champion Marcos Baghdatis 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Stockholm Open.
The sixth-seeded Raonic moved into a match-up with German Philipp Petzschner after beating 2008 Stockholm winner Baghdatis, of Cyprus.
Playing Baghdatis for the first time, the 29th-ranked Raonic started out strong after losing his last match in the Shanghai second round last week to David Ferrer of Spain.
"I play my best when I focus on myself and try to dictate as much as possible," said Raonic, "I'm trying to find ways to win and get my game back after missing some weeks."
"I'm working back slowly, working to get better and better. I'm playing well for being back such a short time."
Raonic, 20, of Thornhill, Ont., produced 22 aces for the evening, taking the 59-minute opening set into a tiebreaker with his seventh missile.
The Canadian missed a chance in the sixth game of the second set, with Baghdatis saving two break points. The set also went to a tiebreak as midnight approached, with Baghdatis levelling at a set each. Raonic had to earn his victory in nearly 2 1 / 2hours with a third set.
The 47th-ranked Baghdatis, a finalist this month in Kuala Lumpur, was playing his first match since losing in the Tokyo first round to Andy Murray.
Raonic's win was his 29th in a season that was interrupted by a hip injury at Wimbledon and surgery July 5.