By Canadian Press

Canada’s Raonic opens Australian Open with 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Germany’s Brown

Jan 16, 2017 | 9:15 PM

MELBOURNE, Australia — Canada’s Milos Raonic and Germany’s Dustin Brown renewed their Grand Slam duel on Tuesday and the result was the same as the last time — a three-set win for Raonic.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., and Brown met for the first time in the first round of last year’s U.S. Open, where the Canadian won in straight sets.

On Tuesday, Raonic defeated Brown 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

“I did what I needed to do,” said Raonic. “I took care of my serve, I broke quite early in all the sets. It just dropped off a little bit when I faced a few dangers on my service games in the beginning of the third, end of the second.”

“Obviously you want to get in, get out and play as well as you can starting off. Obviously it’s not easy. I played solid and I was efficient out there, which I’m happy with.”

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Last year as the 13th-seeded player, Raonic had his best performance at Melbourne Park, advancing to the semifinals before losing to Andy Murray.

The 26-year-old Raonic is playing in his seventh Australian Open and in his 24th major. His best result so far has been a run to the Wimbledon final last year.

He will face Gilles Muller of Luxembourg in the next round.

“I’ve struggled with him,” said Raonic. “I think we’ve played twice, he beat me twice.”

Toronto’s Peter Polansky lost to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-0, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 3-0. Polansky had to retire in the fifth and decisive set.

“Unfortunately I had to withdraw from my match today. My back is fine, but the heat definitely got 2 me. The good news is I am still alive lol,” Polansky tweeted.  

The Canadian Press