Indian Wells 2012: Previewing Roger Federer vs. Milos Raonic

On July 2nd, 2001 on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, there was a changing of the guard.

On that day, one that will be remembered throughout the history of professional tennis, a young nineteen year old named Roger Federer beat the number one player from the previous generation.

That man's name?  Pete Sampras.

On that memorable day, Federer did everything a little better than the great American and it showed in the final score. 

Flash forward to 2012, where a young man named Milos Raonic hopes to achieve the best win of his young career in his third round match against Roger Federer.

To beat Federer, Raonic will have to do exactly what Federer himself did to Sampras almost a decade ago. 

This will be no easy task, however.  Just ask anyone not named Rafael Nadal what it is like to beat Federer on a consistent basis.

Chances are you won't find many. 

Raonic has the tools needed to pull off the upset, starting with one of the biggest serves in the game. He also has a devastating forehand and is always looking to impose his will on his opponent. Simply put: Raoinic likes to be the man dictating play on the court.

Does that sound like another player you may have seen play?  Roger Federer perhaps?

Raonic may hit his first serve harder but Federer is more accurate, both in terms of percentage and location. 

Federer possesses finesse that Raonic does not, but if Raonic has his choice in the match that may not matter much. He is certain to come out blasting his serve and forehand, as he must hope to get Federer out of his comfort zone and to keep him out of rhythm. 

Expect a lot of quick service games in this one, with both players ranking in the top 10 in aces hit this year. Both players will be looking to play extremely aggressive and will employ quick strike tennis. 

Roger Federer will certainly be focused in on all the second serves of Raonic, as the veteran will know when Milos misses his first serve he must be opportunistic. These points will be key if Federer hopes to win the necessary sets without entering tiebreaks. The Swiss Maestro will certainly looking to stay out of tiebreakers due to the unpredictably of playing one against a huge server.

This match has the makings of a great first encounter between the up and coming Canadian and the most decorated player of all-time. 

Federer has already overcome another young up and comer in a big match earlier this year when he easily dispatched Bernard Tomic in straight sets at the Australian Open. He always seems to have a great strategy that throw the younger guys off their games in their first few meetings.

Raonic plays a different game than most young players and if any type of player gives Federer trouble on a consistent basis it is the big hitters. For example, his loss to Del Potro in the 2009 US Open final and his loss to Berdych in the Quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2010. These loses must give the young Canadian hope heading into the match. Raonic can serve just as big as those guys and will only need to win two sets to beat Federer. 

Milos Raonic is yet to show any mental cracks thus far in his young career and if keeps that up here Federer is going to have to take this match from his younger adversary.

This is sure to be a really entertaining match with few service breaks and a lot of winners. Federer is definitely going to need to play good tennis to advance. That being said, I see him doing it in straight sets 7-6, 7-5.