Roger Federer will play Milos Raonic in the finals of the Brisbane International, and said that the Canadian has improved over the past year, but that the world No. 8 must step up again this season.

“He's had a very solid and consistent year,” said Federer, who is 7-1 head to head against Raonic. “I believe he protected his ranking. Made sure he got into the Top 8 at some point, and then always went sort of quarters in a lot of the Masters 1000s, which is important to stay within the Top 8 and give yourself better draws. Then with his kind of game it's normal to sometimes maybe struggle against just a normal guy on tour. With his serve, he doesn't break so often, he doesn't get broken. Next thing you know is you're caught in breakers and you can't always win them all.”

Federer beat Raonic in the semifinals of 2014 Wimbledon in straight sets. However, the 24-year-old Raonic won his first win over the Swiss when he upset him in the Paris Masters. Federer then beat Raonic in the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

“[Raonic] created opportunities,” Federer said. “The more you create, the further you go, and you start upping the confidence. At the end he actually played very solid. It was almost easy for him to go deep in any tournament. I think credit to him to, under pressure in Paris as well, to make the run he had and get to the World Tour Finals. He was playing injured there, so that wasn't ideal, but I was very impressed how well he actually played on all surfaces throughout clay, grass, and hardcourts.

"We know he can play well on the hard courts, indoor and outdoor. But I think this is a big year for him to back it up and actually take it even to the next level.”