Vasek Pospisil had very few expectations when he arrived in Montreal, other than to feel good physically. For him, the good news is that his body held up. The bad news is that he lost his first game at the National Bank Open in Montreal against Tommy Paul on Tuesday, in two identical sets of 6-4.
Posted at 2:04 p.m.
Like the day before, the rain made its own, but the damage was limited. The first match of the day on the central started 90 minutes late. Pospisil and Paul had agreed to meet and it was the American who seemed the best.
The game started smoothly for Pospisil, who was broken in the first play of the match. Despite the warm welcome from the Montreal crowd, the Canadiens were never able to find their bearings. Early in the game, the 147e world player showed signs of discontent and discouragement. Especially after a shot he sent outside despite an open portion of ground. He put his hands on his hips, nodding his head.
This is somewhat what characterized the encounter with Pospisil. The lack of execution and the constant search for rhythm will have sunk him.
He chained unforced errors and dropped the first set 6-4.
Especially since this first round was taken for the 32-year-old player. Even if Tommy Paul is one of the great American hopes, the 34e world racket did not necessarily shine in this match, despite his yellow jersey.
Without rhythm
The crowd was quieter in the second set and Pospisil started it the same way as the first; by getting broken. The rest of the game was relatively close, but no flash marked this uneventful match.
The last set ended 6-4 in favor of the American. Pospisil therefore lost for the second consecutive time in Montreal.
The bad weather certainly dampened the enthusiasm of the players and spectators, but the player from British Columbia would certainly have liked to put on a better show to start this all-Canadian session. Alexis Galarneau and Denis Shapovalov will hope for a better fate.
Paul will face second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz in the second round.