Music: {allcanada} Pospisil cruises into second round in Cincinnati

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

{allcanada} Pospisil cruises into second round in Cincinnati

MASON, Ohio — Canada's Vasek Pospisil cruised into the second round of the Western & Southern Open when French opponent Gilles Simon retired with an injury today.

Simon was trailing 6-3, 1-1 when he ended the match.

Watch Milos Raonic take on American Jack Sock in the first round of the Western & Southern Open Tuesday on Sportsnet ONE and sportsnet.ca at 7 p.m. ET

"It was a strange match," Pospisil said. "I started out well but I noticed that something was going on with him, I think it might have been the hip.

"It was difficult to play from that point. It was fortunate for me and unfortunate for him."

Pospisil is coming off a semifinal appearance at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, a result that vaulted him to 40th spot in the ATP world rankings.

The Vernon, B.C., native needed just 36 minutes to sweep the opening set against Simon, who lost his fifth match in a row and hasn't won since mid-June.

Pospisil faces 80th-ranked Belgian David Goffin in the next round.

"The match will be tough and I don't see a clear favourite," he said. "He's a dangerous player, very talented, and has beaten some top players. We'll have to see."

Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., who beat Pospisil in the semis last weekend, played American Jack Sock later Tuesday.