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[Aileen]

I don't think Milos Raonic needs much of an introduction.  At 21 he has 3 ATP titles, 2 of which he won this year.  Had a lengthy time out last year following surgery on his hip which he injured at Wimbledon.  Favourite surface is hard court.  Noted for his powerful and accurate serve which he uses with deadly effect.  Has a cool head and isn't over-awed at playing top players.  Most recent achievement - pushing Federer to 3 sets in R3 at Indian Wells.  

This will certainly be a testing encounter for Andy, especially if Raonic's serve is firing well.  However he's still lacking in tactical experience and that in itself could ultimately determine the outcome of the match, but the onus will still fall on Andy to up his own serve percentage, and hopefully this will have improved as a result of his recent training with Lendl.

[Ruthie]

Hope so Bailey as that would mean we can watch it in comfort  and Andy might be able to deal with the heat better than Raonic [though have no idea of how well latter does]. 
I've voted Andy in 3 as Raonic clearly won't be a pushover.  I've not watched Raonic very much but I gather he's modelled himself on Sampras who I thought practically killed the game with his boring serve-centred game.  So another reason for wanting Andy to beat him easily - as if I needed any     

[dragonlady]

Andy played yesterday - Novak/fed half today

Andy should be playing on Sunday

[Grabcopy]

Sampras who I thought practically killed the game with his boring serve-centred game.

 

[Elena]

Raonic in post match interview yesterday:

"I feel like I'm a much better player and I am getting closer to these guys.  I feel if we do play many, many times, obviously they'll win most of them, but I will have my opportunities on a few times.
 So it's just a matter of those days clicking, the right things happening.  And when those opportunities do arise, you make the most of them and you go for them"

Hope tomorrow isn't one of those days when everything clicks for him!

About his serve:
 Q.  To follow up, who do you think has the biggest serve, you or John Isner?
 MILOS RAONIC:  I think his serve is more effective, let's say.  I think I'm able to serve harder, if you look at the numbers, but I think he creates a lot of better angles from it.  I think it just comes down to stats, the way you look at it.

More at http://www.sonyericssonopen.com/News/Tennis/2012/Interview-Transcripts/Milos-Raonic-23-March.aspx

[Sir Panda]

Dreading this match. Andy will need to be switched on here.

[TheMadHatter]

Got to bare in mind with those stats what tournaments the two have played. Murray's played the world #1 twice already (as well as Berdych, Federer, Tomic, Dolgopolov, etc), whereas Federer and Tipsarevic are the only top 10 players Raonic has faced (I think?).

Ultimately with these sort of matches it boils down to how well Murray plays. If he's not on form Raonic could well punish him.

Murray is arguably the best returner in the sport though (perhaps 2nd to Djokovic) so seems like the main battle will be played out there, particularly if we have a tie-break. And of course Murray's serve percentage will be key to his own serve. Murray does tend to be quite successful against the big servers though (Isner, Karlovic, Querrey, etc).

Should be an interesting test. Just hope Murray's on form.

[Ruthie]

Me too - ie it was only AA who kept my interest alive and always felt Andy showed great judgement in having AA as his favourite player as he was growing up.  Half wishing they weren't televising this one either as could be one of those stomach turning ones.   Though if he has a night match I'm afraid I'll opt out anyway (actually not even sure it will be shown on tv then as they probably catch up the next afternoon).