Tennis legend Pete Sampras has claimed that Milos Raonic has the ability to challenge the sport's current crop of stars and win major titles.
However, Sampras has warned the Canadian 22-year-old, who takes on countryman Vasek Pospisil in the semi-finals of the Montreal Masters this evening, that success will not happen overnight.
"He's up against [Novak] Djokovic and [Andy] Murray and Roger [Federer] and four great players, and it takes time," Sampras told reporters. "I think he's a threat already. I think he's got a huge game, monster serve, willing to come in and do some things and get to the net.
"I didn't figure this game out until I was probably 22 or 23, so when everything was settled in I was physically and mentally great. I knew where I stood in the game. It just takes time.
"I know Milos does the right things; he works hard; he wants to do well. He just has to be patient. It isn't going to happen overnight."
Raonic, who is currently placed 13th in the ATP world rankings, has beaten Jeremy Chardy, Mikhail Youzhny, Juan Martin del Potro and Ernests Gulbis en route to the last four in Montreal.
Robert Summerscales
