Photo : Michael Storms
Vasek Pospisil’s recent run of good form was not quite enough to carry him to a title on the ATP Challenger Tour this week as the Canadian veteran was defeated in the final of the Open de Vendée in Mouilleron le Captif, France, by Dutchman Jelle Sels.
Breaks midway through each set forced Pospisil to play from behind for most of the match. While he continued to fight back, he was never able to overtake the world No. 173 Sels who claimed the title with a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Coming off a recent quarter-final run at the ATP 250 event in Tel Aviv and a strong performance at the Davis Cup in September, Pospisil had battled into the final this week by defeating three seeded players, including the second and third seeds, to reach his third ATP Challenger final of 2022. He is 1-2 in those title matches.
Break point chances were the difference in the match, as Pospisil only created three and managed to win just one. He faced seven on his own serve and only saved three. All of his break point chances came in the first set.
Pospisil found himself behind midway through the opening set when he was broken in the fifth game.
The final stages of the first were hectic, starting with Pospisil breaking Sels to level the set at 4-4. However, the Dutchman immediately broke back to retake the lead.
Serving for the set at 5-4, Sels had to save a break point before converting his second set point to wrap up the opening.
Just like the first set, Pospisil was broken in the fifth game to find himself trailing in the second. This time, there would be no comeback as the Canadian was broken again as he served to stay in the match at 3-5.
Even in defeat, Pospisil jumps up 14 spots in the rankings to No. 122. He still holds a career 10-6 record in ATP Challenger Tour finals.
