Vernon’s Vasek Pospisil has reached new territory in his pro tennis career.
The 23-year-old, who now trains out of Vancouver, reached the third round of a Masters series tournament for the first time by beating the 51st-ranked Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-4 in their first career meeting Wednesday at the $3.5 million Rogers Cup in Montreal.
The 71st-ranked Pospisil, who claimed $14,000 by winning the Odlum Brown Vancouver Open Sunday, will next face the winner of a match later Wednesday between fifth-seeded Tomas Berdych and Alexander Dolgopolov.
Pospisil took a 5-2 second-set lead with his fifth service break of the match but then lost on his own serve. He made no mistakes on his next service game, taking all four points.
Players reaching the third round earn $34.050 and 90 ATP points.
Pospisil, who attended Beairsto Elementary in Vernon before moving to Vancouver at age 12, scored his first win over a top-20 opponent Tuesday when he ousted American John Isner in three sets.
Pospisil was among a record five Canadians to reach the second round.
