A year after bursting onto the scene by reaching the fourth round at Melbourne Park largely off the back of a booming serve, Canadian Milos Raonic says this week it has been his returning that has been the key to his success so far.
The 21-year-old was a revelation at the Australian Open in 2011 in a season in which he reached world No.25 at one point and went on to win the title in San Jose and reach the final in Memphis.
Having climbed higher in the rankings than any Canadian before him, 196cm Raonic was also named the ATP Tour Newcomer of the Year, with his power game built around his huge serve.
But in his two matches so far at Melbourne Park this week, a straight-sets win over Italian Filippo Volandri and then Thursday's 6-4 5-7 6-2 7-5 victory over German Philipp Petzschner, Raonic has been unhappy with his serve.
"I didn't serve too well, but I managed to take care of my serve, which is the most important part," Raonic said.
"My goal was to make him hit a lot of volleys when he came in."
"He was doing a good thing there (and) I was struggling a little bit, I don't know why, when I was running forward."
"He started well and just put a lot more pressure on me because I know he can play really well (so) my goal was really just to stick with him till I get my opportunities."
"I think I didn't serve nearly as well as I did last year, or even last week (but) I'm just taking care of the things I need to take care of."
Attempting to serve for the match the first time Raonic was broken as he struggled to land a first serve but he closed it out at the second opportunity to set up a shot at either American No.15 seed Andy Roddick or local veteran Lleyton Hewitt.
And he said given that he has been struggling a little with his rhythm on serve, his strong returning will again be important.
"For me ... every match it's about imposing myself whoever I play, taking care of my serve, looking to try to dictate on the return games when I get the opportunities," he added.
"I feel the thing I'm doing much better this year is returning a lot better, getting a lot more returns in, giving myself that opportunity."
"(I'm) not always converting after it, but it's something I'm still working on (and) I'm at least getting the point started, getting myself in the point."
"That will obviously be the goal against either of the two that I play."
"I'm going to have to work on a few serves tomorrow (Friday) and also work on the first shots after the return of the serve."