While Canada have a lone representative in the women’s tennis field for this coming Olympics, the men get double the representation. Big-serving Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil give Canada double the hopes for a shot at a medal. Pospisil is going to come into the Olympic Tournament unseeded, but he has proven in the past that he is very much a threat to make some noise, no matter his ranking.
Raonic on the other hand, will head into the Olympic Tournament as one of the dark horses to sneak onto the podium with his booming serve and newfound craftiness he has with the serve and volley style he can bring at times.
Raonic and Pospisil’s Second Olympics
Raonic first represented Canada at the Olympics at the London Games back in 2012. He opened up his campaign taking out Japan’s Tatsuma Ito in straight sets to set up a showdown with France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The two split the first two sets, both winning them at 6-3. What was in store was a historic battle for the ages.
It was a battle of determination and wills as the two battled for what seemed like an eternity (unless you’re Isner or Mahut), as the two kept holding serve with ease until finally, Tsonga had two looks to close out the match at 15-40 on the Canadian’s serve.
A huge forehand down the line looked to have given Tsonga the upper hand in the point, but the Canadian did well to keep it close. A slice backhand though drew Raonic into the net with Tsonga lobbing him promptly. The Canadian did get the return back as the Frenchman went with a drop volley and looked to have won it. Raonic did get to it, but Tsonga hit it into an open court and in trademark fashion, celebrated with his dance around the court after shaking hands with Raonic.
Meanwhile for Pospisil, his Olympic debut wasn’t as eventful, but he did have a decent showing. Pospisil got into the Olympics via an ITF Spot. He drew David Ferrer in the first round. He lost in two tight sets 4-6, 4-6.