Vasek Pospisil’s dream run at Wimbledon ended Wednesday.
The 25-year-old from Vancouver lost his quarter-final match to world No. 3 Andy Murray of Scotland 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 on on Centre Court at the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in front of 15,000 spectators.
Despite the presence of William and Kate in the royal box and David Beckham and Jackie Stewart in the stands, Pospisil did not appear awed by the occasion though he did contract some nerves early.
Pospisil fell behind 1-3 in the opening set but regrouped during a 40-minute rain delay. Returning to the court, he matched Murray, the 2013 Wimbledon champion, stroke for stroke the rest of the way.
There was one (understandable) major loss of concentration and it cost him. With the second set tied at 5-5 and 30-30 during Pospisil’s service, chair umpire Pascal Maria called Pospisil for a time violation in a game that had featured several long rallies with both players averaging well beyond the 30-second limit before serving.
Nor surprisingly, Pospisi lost the next two points and was broken. Murray then closed out the set.
Both players held serve for the first eight games of the third set until Pospisil was broken for 5-4. He had his first break opportunity in the final game but could not capitalize.
In his eight years as a pro, Pospisil has averaged $325,000 (U.S.) in winnings. Not this year. Over the past nine days, he earned $390,000,
He also won a legion of fans across Canada, and if his ebullient and determined play is any indication (and it is), an enormous dose of self-respect and confidence.
We will hear from him again. Likely, very soon.
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