CALIFORNIA-- Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic fired down 13 aces to defeat Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3 6-4 on Thursday and reach the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals in Indian Wells for a second consecutive year.
Serbian teenager Kecmanovic was unable to convert any of his three break-point opportunities against a ruthless Raonic, who unleashed a torrent of punishing groundstrokes on a sunny and breezy day in the California desert.
Raonic's serving accuracy was not as precise as it has been in other matches, with only 55 percent of his first deliveries finding the target.
But when he was able to get one in play it was too much for the tournament lucky loser, with Raonic winning 88 percent of those points.
"In a few key moments my serve really helped me out," Raonic told reporters.
"I just tried to play consistent, be aggressive when I had the first chance."
Next up for Raonic is either Gael Monfils or Dominic Thiem, who play their quarter-final later on Thursday.
