Raonic and Simon advance into second round of Shanghai Masters

Canadian Milos Raonic defeated Australian qualifier Marinko Matosevic in the first round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012, prevailing in straight sets 7-6 (4) 6-3.

Raonic, who reached the Japan Open final last week and and has won two ATP titles this year so far, went up a break in the first set just before dropping his serve, allowing Matosevic to get right back into it. However, the 12th seeded Canadian regained his focus in the ‘breaker’ and took the lead in the match.

The second set was a bit more one sided affair, with Raonic setting up a second round encounter against Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, who overpowered Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-2 6-2.

Also through to the second round is Frenchman Gilles Simon after eliminating Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-4 6-2 in 1 hour and 22 minutes. Simon, who reached the quartefinals here in 2009, will play Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov next.

Tags ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters 2012 gilles simon Jurgen Melzer Marinko Matosevic Milos Raonic Raonic beats Matosevic Simon bets Melzer