LONDON -- Milos Raonic is as good a server as there is in tennis nowadays. Hurricanes Jerseys China .Andy Murray is one of the top returners.How that matchup plays out in the Wimbledon final Sunday could go a long way toward determining who wins the championship.The sixth-seeded Raonic heads into the first Grand Slam title match of his career -- and the first for a man representing Canada -- having won 116 of his 121 service games (96 percent) across six matches.Obviously, said Murray, the 2013 Wimbledon champion, Milos has got a fantastic serve.Raonic, who added John McEnroe to his coaching staff ahead of the grass-court portion of this season, has hit 154 aces, averaging 25 1/2 per match. Hes faced only 27 break points, saving 22.In his five-set victory over Roger Federer in the semifinals, Raonic saved 8 of 9 break points.Not only did the 6-foot-5 Raonic repeatedly top 140 mph in that match, he went as high as 144 mph more than once, and his average first serve of 129 mph was faster than Federers best offering of 126 mph.Raonics serve is speedy and scary, to be sure -- British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith called it ginormous -- but it is also much more than that.One reason its so effective is because of his ability to alter velocity and placement.Against Federer, he would boom one right at the body at upward of 135 mph -- emanating a thud that reverberated around Centre Court -- then hit an ace out wide at 115 mph that sent up a spray of chalk when it hit a line.You dont get in a rhythm, said Sam Querrey, the American who lost to Raonic in the quarterfinals after beating No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round. You go games on his serve where you might get one return in play.Dont count on that happening too often against Murray.Take out players who didnt make it past the second round this fortnight, and the second-seeded Murray ranks No. 1 in:- percentage of returns put in play, 77;- percentage of second-serve points won, 64;- percentage of return games won, 36.Murray -- a two-time major champion, most famously becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years -- has won his past five matchups against Raonic. Just three weeks ago, Murray won their meeting in the final of the Queens Club grass-court tournament. Murray dropped the first set, then trailed 3-0 in the second, before beginning the turnaround with a return winner.It helps to have played a match against him on the grass, Murray said. You know, see some of the things hes doing on this surface a little bit differently.For Murray, this will be the 11th Grand Slam final of his career -- and third of this year -- but first against someone other than Djokovic or Federer.Raonic was asked what sort of a boost his debut in a major final might be for Canadian tennis.Its great to sort of be at the center and front of that come Sunday. Im glad that Ive sort of been leading this charge, the first one to break through and really put these things together, he said. But Im by no means done.Both times Murray earned a major trophy, Ivan Lendl was his coach. And after a hiatus, they have reunited.I dont think its a coincidence. I obviously had the best years of my career with him, Murray said.I obviously wanted to work with Ivan again to try to help me win these events, he added. Thats the goal.One of eight-time major champion Lendls rivals during his playing days was McEnroe, who won three of his seven Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon. Lendl won 21 of their 36 head-to-head matchups, although McEnroe won the only time they played at the All England Club, in the 1983 semifinals.Lendl is expected to be seated in Murrays guest box at Centre Court for the final. McEnroe? Instead of supporting Raonic at courtside, hell be in the TV commentary booth, calling the match for ESPN.---Freelance writer Sandra Harwitt contributed to this report.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich Carolina Hurricanes Gear . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Hurricanes Jerseys 2020 . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. https://www.cheaphurricanes.com/ . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. MIAMI -- Dee Gordon walked into the Miami Marlins clubhouse four hours before game time and was greeted at his locker by a three-foot-high stack of boxes -- bats, gloves, shoes and more, all new.Three months of stuff, he said.Thats how long he had been gone. Gordon returned Thursday from an 80-game suspension for a positive drug test and went 0 for 4 batting leadoff as the Marlins lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4.In conjunction with his reinstatement, Gordon issued an apology on social media addressed primarily to his young fans.I know I let you down, and Im sorry, the Marlins second baseman said in a video. Complacency led me to this, and Im hurt. I urge you guys to be more responsible than I am about what goes into your body. I wouldnt wish this on anyone.Gordon, who won the NL batting and stolen base titles last year, was suspended in late April after testing positive for two performance-enhancing drugs.At the time, Marlins president David Samson said Gordon had betrayed the team and fans. Now, Samson and the Marlins say theyre glad to have Gordon back.Were a pretty forgiving society, Samson said. Its important Dee ask for that forgiveness, and he has, and hell receive that. Hes got to continue to work to get himself back in with his teammates and the fans, and my son.Teammates -- even Derek Dietrich, who filled in capably at second base -- have said theyre glad to have Gordon return. Manager Don Mattingly said Gordon has the backing of the clubhouse and organization.Obviously there was disappointment early on, and then you really want to support him from that point forward, Mattingly said. He has been remorseful. He has paid his price.Gordons father, former major league pitcher Tom Gordon, attended Thursdays game. The elder Gordon said he both scolded and embraced his son when the suspension occurred.He has learned a lot, Tom Gordon said. He willl bounce back and be an even better person. Carolina Hurricanes Pro Shop. In his video, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Gordon said he learned from his mistake.I thought being the smallest guy, I would never fail a drug test, he said. I didnt pay attention at all and I didnt meet the standards. Thats my fault and no one elses. But dont give up on me.When Gordon was suspended, he said he unknowingly took the banned substances. Speaking to a cluster of media in the dugout before batting practice Thursday, he declined to elaborate.What lesson did he learn?Dont be complacent just because youre small, he said. I got complacent and made a mistake.Gordons hitless effort Thursday dropped his season average to .255.I thought he seemed a little quiet and probably a little nervous, Mattingly said. As the game went on he seemed more like himself.To make room on the roster for Gordon, the Marlins designated for assignment infielder Don Kelly, who had two triples in Wednesdays victory over the Phillies.Even without Gordon, the Marlins have remained in contention for their first playoff berth since 2003.I kept in touch with my teammates pretty much on a daily basis, Gordon said. I told them thank you for keeping their end of the bargain. I asked them to keep it close until I got back, and thats exactly what they did. Now Ive got to keep my end of the bargain. Ive got to help us get to the playoffs.As part of his punishment, Gordon will be ineligible for the postseason.Last year he led the majors with 205 hits and 58 stolen bases, batted .333, became an All-Star for the second time and won a Gold Glove.The breakout season earned him a $50 million, five-year contract in January. Is he optimistic hell play the way he did last year?I know I can, he said. Wait and watch. ' ' '