Vasek Pospisil

[El Dude]

Is it just me or is this guy on the rise? It seems he keeps showing up as someone beating a much higher ranked player, most recently Richard Gasquet in the first round of Shanghai. He had a nice run in the Canada Masters, defeating John Isner, Radek Stepanek, Tomas Berdych, and then a withdraw against Nikolay Davydenko before losing to Milos Raonic in the SF in a three-set match. Pospisil is ranked #40 in the live rankings; the last two years he finished a bit outside of the top 100.

Could he be in 2014 what Jerzy Janowicz was in 2013 and Milos Raonic was in 2012?

Maybe Pospisil's rise - 23 years old in June - is supporting the theory that players are reaching their peak forms a bit later these days. Where traditionally players reached their peak around 21 or 22, and held it for about five years, maybe the new peak is more like 23-28. But who knows. Its hard to imagine him rising into the top 10; but I do think we're going to see his name around over the next half decade plus, maybe even regularly in the top 20.

 

[Kieran]

Anything is Pospisil... :snigger

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

He is a great kid, a hard worker and a very coachable guy. He is fast becoming a favorite of mine. He has a great serve and a solid net game that he built playing doubles with Nestor. He is improving his ground strokes every tournament it feels like.

I am not sure where his ceiling is but if he keeps working hard, he might be a permanent top 20 player. How high is up to him.

 

[tented]

I like him, too. Seems like a nice young man, with a game I prefer greatly over Raonic's serve-and-pray. It was a heartbreaker when he lost the semi in Canada, but it doesn't seem to have thrown him to the point where he has allowed it to ruin the rest of the year.

 

[zalvar]

I like him, too. Seems like a nice young man, with a game I prefer greatly over Raonic's serve-and-pray. It was a heartbreaker when he lost the semi in Canada, but it doesn't seem to have thrown him to the point where he has allowed it to ruin the rest of the year.

Plus he's cute, if he can fix those lonely island teeth.

Too bad he lost to Monfils after that significant win against Gasquet.

 

[kskate2]

Anything is possible with Popsickle as they come in a variety of colors and flavors.

 

[isabelle]

I like him, too. Seems like a nice young man, with a game I prefer greatly over Raonic's serve-and-pray. It was a heartbreaker when he lost the semi in Canada, but it doesn't seem to have thrown him to the point where he has allowed it to ruin the rest of the year.

Plus he's cute, if he can fix those lonely island teeth.

Too bad he lost to Monfils after that significant win against Gasquet.

Monfils seems to be in top form he beat Olderer

 

[zalvar]

I like him, too. Seems like a nice young man, with a game I prefer greatly over Raonic's serve-and-pray. It was a heartbreaker when he lost the semi in Canada, but it doesn't seem to have thrown him to the point where he has allowed it to ruin the rest of the year.

Plus he's cute, if he can fix those lonely island teeth.

Too bad he lost to Monfils after that significant win against Gasquet.

Monfils seems to be in top form he beat Olderer

lol not a surprise nowadays to see Fed beaten. Monfils seemed to be a tad injured but, ya, he was hitting the ball pretty well.

 

[rubydo]

Vasek has a great attitude and has become a favourite of many Canadian tennis watchers. I have seen him play in person and he demonstrates a whole range of skills. Very likeable as a number of you have mentioned. His serve is up in the 130 mile range, ground strokes are fine and his energy level is quite amazing. I wrote a piece on him during Canada's Davis Cup run, where he excelled in doubles with Nestor. As he is from my home province, British Columbia, it gives me an extra rush of joy to see him excel. He is potentially capable of being in the top 20 rankings.

 

[herios]

An article about Vasek, he sets his next goal for this year to reach the top 15-20:

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/vasek-pospisil-sets-eyes-2014-breakthrough-tennis-season-170708440.html

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I think if he cracks the top 32 and gets seeded in slams, that will help him big time. He has lost so many close matches against top guys in early rounds this year. He is a great kid. If I was his coach, I would work on his upper-body strength a bit, and overall fitness. His shots are fine, just needs consistency and that will come with being fitter.

 

[herios]

I think if he cracks the top 32 and gets seeded in slams, that will help him big time. He has lost so many close matches against top guys in early rounds this year. He is a great kid. If I was his coach, I would work on his upper-body strength a bit, and overall fitness. His shots are fine, just needs consistency and that will come with being fitter.

He is right now ranked 32. The ranking will change only once before the AO seeding will be decided, after the first week of events in January, when Doha, Chennai and Brisbane results will be included.
Vasek was out last January due to mononucleosis, if he enters in one of these events, he may win some free points, and remain in a seeded position for AO. He may still remain seeded, if he doesn't play that week, but is more risky to wait if those ranked behind him will not make points and pass him.

EDIT: He plays Chennai, which is a very good decision. He will be seeded there, because it is not as much crowded at the top like Doha is, so he could earn enough points to keep him in the top 32 for AO.

 

[nehmeth]

I like this kid Vasek. He doesn't seem to have the same glaring technical flaws that Jerzy has. Looking forward to seeing more from him in 2014.

 

[britbox]

I like this kid Vasek. He doesn't seem to have the same glaring technical flaws that Jerzy has. Looking forward to seeing more from him in 2014.

Yeah, I like him too - a lot more than Raonic and Jerzy. Hopefully we'll see him break the Top 20 this year.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

One thing about Vasek is that he honed most of his skills, and mental toughness playing Davis Cup tennis. In 2011 when Canada played the world group play-offs against Israel, in Israel, he played the final singles rubber, with amazing pressure on him, and he won the tie for Canada. That match has to be a turning point in his career. He also played lots of doubles with Nestor, who is one of the best ever in doubles and he learned about the net game, positioning and etc...

The future is bright for the guy.