Tag Archives: 2013 Vancouver Open

Vasek Pospisil wins the 2013 Vancouver Open

Vasek Pospisil became just the second Canadian man to win the Vancouver Open, with a 6–0, 1–6, 7–5 win over Daniel Evans of the UK. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vasek Pospisil became just the second Canadian man to win the Vancouver Open, with a 6–0, 1–6, 7–5 win over Daniel Evans of the UK. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

The 2013 Odlum Brown Vancouver Open ended with as much drama and suspense as you could possibly cram into a three-set match. There were twists. There were turns. There were swizzle sticks. There were sunburns.

Rising Canadian tennis star Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) outlasted England’s Daniel Evans (@Evo151216) in a see-saw battle to win the men’s singles title 6–0, 1–6, 7–5 to become the first BC-born player to win in the 12-year history of the event.

“My eyes were wide, I was a pretty innocent 15-year-old kid,” said Pospisil of his first time playing the Vancouver Open back in 2005. “At that age, you’re just excited to play against all of these amazing athletes, and happy to get a game or two off of them in your first pro event.”

Eight years later, the Vernon-born Pospisil came in as the number two seed in the tournament and ranked 85th in the world. He brought consecutive Davis Cup wins with Team Canada with him in his equipment bag, and led the list of prominent Tennis Canada stars to appear at the event-opening press conference. “Because I started here, you know, it’s always been a dream of mine to win the Vancouver Open,” said Pospisil, “and it’s great to do it with all of these people here. I think I personally know half of the people in the stands today.”

See my Flickr set of pictures from the 2013 Vancouver Open here.

More after the jump.

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Vancouver Open: Dubois cruises through the first round

Headed up to Hollyburn for a bit of Women’s First Round action this afternoon, and caught an all-Canadian matchup: Stephanie Dubois, ranked #4 in Canada (World Ranking #164), won in straight sets over Egyptian-born, Toronto-based Heidi El Tabakh (WR #284), 7–5, 6–3.

Up by a set and a break in the second, Stephanie Dubois crunches a forehand winner on the way to a first-round win over Heidi El Tabakh at the 2013 Vancouver Open. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Up by a set and a break in the second, Stephanie Dubois crunches a forehand winner on the way to a first-round win over Heidi El Tabakh at the 2013 Vancouver Open. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

El Tabakh hits with some serious power, and offered up more than a few impressive winners in the match. Unfortunately for her, on this day she allowed emotions to distract her, double faulting after a long baseline rally and swearing at herself repeatedly during the second set. Dubois, who won the Vancouver Open in 2009, took advantage of El Tabakh’s mood swings, dictating the overall pace of the game and frustrating her opponent with a calm, cool demeanor throughout the match.

More, including more pictures, after the jump.

Continue reading Vancouver Open: Dubois cruises through the first round