Milos Raonic makes history at Australian Open

Milos Raonic plays a forehand in his win over Feliciano Lopez at the Australian Open

Melbourne, Jan 26 (IANS)

Milos Raonic became the first Canadian man in the Open Era to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals as he edged Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-3 here Monday. The Toronto native is the first Canadian to reach the last eight in Melbourne since Michael Belkin in 1968.

He is through to his third Grand Slam quarter-final, having made his breakthrough at Roland Garros last year and going on to reach his first semi-final a month later at Wimbledon.

Raonic is also the second Canadian man in history to reach three major quarter-finals, following in the footsteps of Robert Powell at Wimbledon in 1908, 1910 and 1912.

"It's great to be doing what I'm doing and that it is making a difference," said Raonic.

"It is, I guess, part of some history, if you look really deep. But at the end of the day, at the same time, I'm always pushing myself for what I want to achieve."

The 24-year-old Raonic will face either World No.1 and four-time champion Novak Djokovic or Gilles Muller for a place in the semi-finals.