SPORTS

Vasek Pospisil will face Denis Shapovalov after winning opener in Qatar

Published Tuesday, March 9, 2021 11:17AM EST

Vasek Pospisil, of Canada, reacts during a match against Milos Raonic, of Canada, during the second round of the US Open tennis championships, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Text:

DOHA, QATAR -- Vasek Pospisil set up an all-Canadian clash with Denis Shapovalov at the Qatar Open with a first-round win today.

Pospisil, from Vancouver, beat Australian qualifier Christopher O'Connell 6-3, 6-4 at the ATP Tour 250 event.

Pospisil, ranked 67th in the world, will face the fourth-seeded Shapovalov in the second round. Shapovalov, from Richmond Hill, Ont., got a first-round bye.

The career series is tied at 1-1 with both matches taking place last year.

Pospisil was playing just his second match of the year on Tuesday after losing in straight sets to Daniil Medvedev in the first round of the Australian Open.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2021.