After a strong performance at the Rogers Cup, 22-year-old Milos Raonic moved up three spots to number 10 in the ATP Rankings on Monday, becoming the first Canadian man to do so.
Fellow countryman Vasek Pospisil, who was beaten by Raonic in the semi-finals, moved up 31 spots to number 40.
Watch Milos Raonic take on American Jack Sock in the first round of the Western & Southern Open Tuesday on Sportsnet ONE at 7 p.m. ET
“To achieve what I did today, after so many doubts…from so many people, is really special,” an emotional Raonic told Sportsnet, just minutes after the match against Pospisil, his voice still cracking.
Raonic and Pospisil became the first two Canadians to make the semifinals of an ATP Tour tournament since Andrew Sznajder and Martin Wostenholme in 1990 in Rio de Janeiro.
“My goal at the start of the year was that if everything went perfect, I’d be top 50,” Pospisil said. “Now I’m top 40.”
Raonic was praised by world No. 3 Rafael Nadal despite losing to him 6-2, 6-2 in the final.
“With his serve, his chance to be in the top 10 for a long time is very good,” the Spaniard said. “Then what you need is to work on the mental part and in the game from the baseline, to try to play the right way on the important points.
“I think he will do it. He’s still young. He’s having great results. This week is going to be very important for him and for tennis in Canada in general.”
Both Raonic and Pospisil are slated to play this week in Cincinnati.
–With files from the Canadian Press