Milos Raonic takes on Vasek Pospisil in an all-Canada final at the Citi Open in Washington on Sunday, the first time two Canadians have faced off for an ATP World Tour title in the Open Era.
UPDATE: Raonic cruised past Pospisil to take the first set 6-1 is one game away from victory leading 5-4 in the second. Watch right now on Sportsnet 360
Who holds the advantage when these two collide?
The case for Milos Raonic
Raonic has the experience factor working for him in the final. The 23-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., has won five titles on the ATP circuit and is coming off of a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon.
Raonic also defeated Pospisil in their previous high-profile meeting during the semis of last year’s Rogers Cup.
Oh yeah, there’s also that 249.9 km/h serve that Raonic could use to ace his way past his compatriot.
The case for Vasek Pospisil
At face value, the 13th-seeded Pospisil could be considered the underdog but don’t underestimate the 24-year-old from Vancouver.
While he lost the semifinal match at the Rogers Cup to Raonic, Pospisil didn’t go down easy, cruising to win the second set 6-1 and going the distance before falling 7-6 (4) in the decisive third set. Pospisil also leads 3-2 all-time in five meetings between the two.
Let’s not forget Pospisil also knocked off top-seed (and world No. 5) Tomas Berdych in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 during the third round.
Fatigue could be a factor as Pospisil had to finish off Santiago Giraldo in a rain-delayed third set Saturday afternoon before defeating sixth-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-5 in the evening while Raonic cruised through his semifinal match against Donald Young and should be well-rested.
Pospisil also has some momentum on his side, winning the Wimbledon men’s doubles title with American Jack Sock. He still seeks his first singles title but a win over Raonic could vault Pospisil from No. 36 in the Emirates ATP Rankings to a career-high 24th.
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