The points were routinely short, so Raonic did not always give Monfils much opportunity to see the full range of his big game, but Monfils saw more than enough to pass judgment.

“He’s playing a bit faster from the baseline,” Monfils said. “I think the main improvement is his return. His returns are way better than before. He strikes the ball heavy with his forehand, but I would say now his backhand’s getting much better. So he’s a tougher player now.”

Monfils did not mention the serve, which did not need much improvement. It remains one of the most intimidating strokes in tennis.

No other serve sounds or looks quite like it: See Raonic’s double rocking motion as he prepares to launch it. Television does not quite do it justice, in part because TV flattens out space, and viewers therefore cannot truly grasp how far back Monfils was standing to return and yet still struggled to summon the survival instincts necessary to punch some of Raonic’s deliveries back into play.

Murray, one of the game’s supreme returners, should do better, and he has. He beat Raonic in their last two matches in straight sets, but their head-to-head record stands at 3-3. Raonic now appears to be a more complete attacking machine with improved volleys. Although there is a certain segment of the tennis public that fears the rise of Raonic and the return of the staccato point, it will be particularly interesting to see how Raonic’s net game matches up with Murray’s phenomenal returns and passing shots.

Contrast in style is, after all, a good look for tennis.

“He’s playing very well,” said the veteran coach Paul Annacone, a former serve-and-volleyer who has coached Pete Sampras and Federer. “After having the foot issues and the lower back problem in the fall last year, he’s finally healthy and is able to just play. His challenge is going to be against the best guys, like Murray or Novak, who are the best defenders. Can he hit through them enough?”