Canada’s Milos Raonic defeated compatriot Vasek Pospisil 6-1, 6-4 to secure the ATP 500 Citi Open title on Sunday. This was the first final between Canadians on the ATP Tour circuit in the Open Era. Pospisil was aiming for his first ATP title.
Raonic’s title victory in Washington increases his title haul to six and this is his first ATP 500 title. His last title victory was in Thailand 11 months ago.
“It’s great the way it started,” said Raonic. “I couldn’t have asked for more. I had a chance to break in every single game in that first set. Then I continued to play solid after that. All in all, a very good performance and an important moment for me.
“I think I’m playing at a high level. I think the number I have beside my name is not a coincidence and I don’t think it would be a coincidence if it got lower.”
Raonic will be participating at this week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto brimming with confidence. His ranking is now at a career high number six. However, he will have to defend runner-up points in Canada in order to assure a longer stay in this level.
With his victory at the Citi Open, Raonic goes home with $316,400 plus 500 ranking points.
“I wasn’t nervous about playing in the final,” said Pospisil. “It was a combination of him playing very well and me being a little bit heavy-legged, and just ran out of a little bit of gas. It took me a little bit to get into the match, get my groove, and get the legs going. But credit to him. He played very well.”
