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WASHINGTON -- Milos Raonic has had nearly a month to digest his Wimbledon semifinal loss to Roger Federer. But even after all that time, the sting still lingers. "Im still pretty angry about it," Raonic said of the straight-sets loss to the Swiss star. It was the first Grand Slam semifinal for the hard-serving player from Thornhill, Ont., who reached a career-high sixth in the world rankings. Now ranked seventh, he says the disappointment of not advancing to the final at the All-England Club has left him with extra incentive heading into the hard-court season. "Out of all the ranking climbs that Ive made over the past three years that have been significant to me, its probably the one that I enjoyed the least because I felt that I could have done much better in that situation," said Raonic, who returns to the court this week at the Citi Open. Raonic arrived in Washington last Friday -- five days ahead of his opening match -- rested and rejuvenated but with the July 4 loss to Federer still fresh in his mind. The Canadian is seeded second, behind only fifth-ranked Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. "Its been a lot of frustration, anger and disappointment, specifically to that semifinal, and its actually sort of transformed into a lot of energy to do better, to work harder and now its got me really excited," said Raonic. "It makes me want to play that much more badly and get through these next tournaments." The Citi Open is the first of three straight hard-court events for Raonic, who returns home to Toronto next week for the Rogers Cup before playing in the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati the week after. That Raonic is heading into the hard-court season with extra motivation and a newfound confidence is a potentially scary thought for the rest of ATP Tour. "I have more belief in what I can do and the kind of damage that I can make," said Raonic, who has won 82 per cent of his first-serve points this year, second-most on tour, and is third with 567 aces in 34 matches. "I can make guys feel uncomfortable whether theyre ranked No.1 in the world or No. 50. I dont think anybody enjoys playing me so I have a lot more understanding of that and how to use that to my advantage." Prior to his semifinal run on the grass courts at Wimbledon, Raonic also reached the quarter-finals on the clay courts of the French Open. Overall, the 23-year-old compiled a 16-7 record on grass and clay this spring, after going 8-8 over the same stretch a year ago. Combine the recent success in Europe with Raonics past performances on hard courts and he says "this is the most eager" hes ever felt heading into his favourite time of year. "Its the best thing for my game," he said of the hard courts and the typically hot and humid playing conditions that accompany the North American summer schedule. "After spending four months of tennis where Im adjusting to playing the surface, this is a surface where Im comfortable and where I dont have to worry about OK in this situation, I have to hit this kind of shot. (On hard courts) I have that stuff ingrained in myself naturally." Raonics coach, former world No.3 Ivan Ljubicic, also sees the hard-court season as a tremendous opportunity for Raonic to close the gap with the games elite and to potentially breakthrough with his first career Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open. "His level is much higher than at this time last year," said Ljubicic, who challenged Raonic last August to "save" his 2013 season with a strong tournaments in Montreal, Cincinnati and New York. "Hes shown recently that hes better able to handle certain situations -- the pressure situations -- very well," he said. "Hes got the type of personality and character where he feels more comfortable with a higher ranking, where he doesnt feel the pressure. If anything, he has more hunger to do better." Raonic now has his sights set on defending his ranking points at the Rogers Cup -- he reached the final in Montreal last year before falling to Rafael Nadal -- and building towards a strong U.S. Open. He is also eyeing his first career top-5 world ranking. "I think theres a big opening," Raonic said of joining Nadal and Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic among the top-5. "The biggest threshold and the biggest barrier or wall to pass is the one that Novak and Rafa have on the 1-2 spots. But I think that the rest of the parts, this year specifically, are up for grabs." 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Top-seeded Djokovic swept to a 6-1, 6-3 win over 51st-ranked Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in just 57 minutes, but fourth-seeded Federer had to see off a serious challenge from 48th-ranked Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic before coming through 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3.BASEL, Switzerland - Top-seeded Roger Federer won a sixth Swiss Indoors title on Sunday, comfortably defeating David Goffin of Belgium in straight sets to end a run of two successive final defeats at his hometown tournament.Federer took just 52 minutes to win 6-2, 6-2, delighting the partisan crowd as he inflicted what was only Goffins third defeat in 46 matches.I didnt expect this kind of result but clearly Ill take it, its great, Federer said. Its indoors tennis, sometimes you just blow a guy out of the court and Im happy it was me today doing that.The first set lasted 23 minutes as Federer dropped just one point in the final three games.The second-ranked Federer also moved a step closer to clinching the year-end No. 1 spot for a record-equaling sixth time as he moved to less than 500 points behind Novak Djokovic, with his fifth victory of the season.Im very pleased how well Im playing, Federer said. It was a great final, I think I played really well. Im full of confidence now.I was expecting it to be tough and him taking charge at times but I think I was really able to control the match with my serve and then with my variation on the return. I think I did really well, I was fresh today, it was again a fifth day of tennis for me in a row and Im happy Im able to keep it up time and time again, week after week.Goffin had been in remarkable form since his straight-sets defeat to Andy Murray at Wimbledon but knew it would be a tough task against a player who —as he revealed on Saturday — is still his idol.It was a tough match of course, against Roger in his hometown, said Goffin, who admitted he felt the pressure of it all in the buildup. He is in great shape and he played so good today. It was too tough for me today. I made a lot oof mistakes, I didnt serve very well.dddddddddddd But at the end its a good week for me and Ill try to do better next time.Federer was in front from the start as he broke Goffins serve in the very first game, securing the advantage when the Belgian hit a backhand wide.The Swiss star followed that up with a winning serve and a 200 kph (125 mph) ace as he took complete control.He serves just perfect, Goffin said. You cannot read where its going and its not easy to return, thats why it was a nightmare for me today.Goffin fought to get back in the match but Federer was simply too strong and a delightful crosscourt forehand handed him three break points, the second of which left him serving for the set when Goffin sliced into the net.Federer quickly sealed the advantage with the third of four successive love service games, ending the set with an ace followed by an unreturnable serve.Goffin opened the second set in the same way as the first, with a double fault. However, he was now being encouraged by the crowd — uneasy at the one-sided contest — and managed to hold his serve.The 23-year-old Goffin saved one break point in the fifth game but hit a backhand into the net after a long rally to hand Federer another advantage.And the 33-year-old Federer swiftly secured another double break to leave him serving for the match. A desperate Goffin challenged the call but replays showed Federers return had landed on the baseline.The final point was delayed slightly by thunderous applause after Federer racked up two match points. He needed just one as he delicately placed a shot over the net, which Goffin managed to get to but couldnt return.Federer lost the 2012 and 2013 Swiss Indoors finals to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. ' ' '