For the first time, ever, Canadian Tennis is flourishing. Well, maybe not flourishing like some of the established tennis hubs like Spain, Serbia or France, but we have begun our assent. On the front lines leading our charge is Milos Raonic. In this article, I’m going to give a recap of how our Canadians did this year.

Pros

Milos Raonic (Singles Rank – 11)

This year was a strong year for Raonic. The Thornhill resident came off of a big year in 2012 jumping from 37th all the way up to 13th, taking titles in the Aircel Chennai Open and SAP Open. In 2013, 22 year old Raonic started off strong; he because only the 3rd Open Era Canadian to make it to the 4th Round of a Grand Slam, the Australian in Milos’ case. Beating Tommy Haas in straight sets, Milos became 1st Open Era player to capture the SAP Open title 3 consecutive years. Unfortunately for Raonic, he struggled the next almost half-year, rankings slipping all the way to 18th. He had a string of poor showings, less a semi-final appearance at the Barcelona Open where he lost to Rafael Nadal. His year began to turn around beginning in his play at the Rogers cup in Montreal. In his home tournament, he made it all the way to the finals, losing to Rafa in straight sets yet again. His next notable showing came at the US Open. In the final Grand Slam of the year, Raonic lost to Richard Gasquet in a very close 5 set match. After the US Open, the triumphed at the Thailand Open where he upset Tomas Berdych. His next tournament where he preformed well in was the Japan Open where he lost in the finals Del Potro in a close 7-6 (5),7-5 match. Closing off the year, Raonic played well, but didn’t come out on top,losing in the round of 16 to Berdych at the BNP Paribas Masters in a tight straight sets loss. Milos did well this year in half of the Grand Slams this year, took home 2 titles and placed well in many others as well as moving up in the ATP rankings and solidifying himself as a force to be reckoned with his improving game under coach Ljubicic.

Daniel Nestor (Doubles Rank – 25)

Daniel Nestor has been a prominent Canadian doubles veteran, ranked in the top 25 for the last 14 years. Though spending numerous weeks, over his career, ranked first in doubles, Nestor is nearing the end of his professional career, 22 years to date. This year, aside from his performance at Davis Cup, Nestor played quite competitively. With Swedish partner, Robert Lindstedt, Nestor made it to the finals of the Barcelona Open, losing a close 3 set match to Peya (AUT) and partner Soares (BRA). Again with partner Lindstedt, Nestor had a solid showing at Wimbledon this year, making it all the way to the quarterfinals. Next, was his performance with fellow Canadian, Vasek Pospisil, at the Rogers Cup. Losing to Andy Murray and Colin Flemming (GBR) in the semi finals of the Rogers Cup. Next for Nestor was the Winston-Salem Open. Playing with Leander Paes, they took the title in a close straight set victory. In the US Open, losing to the Bryan Brothers in the round of 16 with Canadian, Vasek Pospisil, Nestor and partner Julian Knowle (AUT) were upset by Mergea (ROU) and Rosol (CZE) in his last notable tournament of the year.

Vasek Pospisil (Singles Rank – 32, Doubles Rank – 87)

Ever since this years Canadian semi-final, Vasek Pospisil has gained the eye of the Canadian tennis community. Starting 2013 off ranked at 119, Pospisil has jumped up 87 spots to land himself at 32. The first finals appearance for Pospisil this year came his home country. He lost to Voest (RSA) in a close 2 set match at the Rimouski Challenger Tournament. In South Africa, he had better fortune. In the Johannesburg challenger, he beat Prysiezny (POL) to take the title. His next triumph came in France, at Roland Garros. In this Grand Slam, he got past the three rounds of qualifying beating fellow Canadian, Frank Dancevic, in straight sets. Unfortunately he lost to Zeballos (ARG) in a close 5 set match in the round of 128. In July, the Claro Open (Columbia) was the first semi-final tour-level event that Pospisil had played; in fact, he had only won 3 tour level matches previously. 2 weeks later, Pospisil again had a good showing near his hometown in the Vancouver Challenger. He won the tournament, beating Daniel Evans (GBR) in 3 sets. The highlight of Pospisil’s year this year was his play at the Rogers Cup. Beating such names as John Isner (USA, ranked 20), Radek Stepanek (CZE, ranked 51), Tomas Berdych (CZE, ranked 6), Nikolay Davydenko (RUS, ranked 47). He made it all the way to the semi-finals, losing 6-7 (4) in the 3rd set to Canadian Raonic. After the Rogers Cup, Pospisil began playing only tour-level tournaments; his opponent pool becoming much stronger. For the next almost 3 months, Pospisil was knocked out of his tournaments early, until Switzerland. In the Basel Open, Pospisil advanced all the way to the semi finals where he took Federer to three sets, losing 7-5 in the 3rd.

Eugenie Bouchard (Singles Rank – 32)

Bouchard is the top ranked Canadian on the women’s side. She has improved her rankings this year, from 144th – 32nd. Although she didn’t perform particularly well at the Grand Slams, she did well at some of the tour-level tournaments she entered in. In the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL, the (at the time) 130th ranked Bouchard fought her way to the round of 16, losing to the eventual winner of the tournament Sara Errani (ITA) Her next showing was a month later at the Family Circle Cup in Charlston. Bouchard made it all the way to the quarter finals, upsetting Laura Robertson (42-GBR) and Samanth Stosur (9-AUS). She unfortunately was easily defeated 6-2, 6-1 to the finalist, Jankovic (18-SRB). Bouchard had a good showing at the Internationaux de Strasbourg where she made it to the semi-finals, eventually losing to Cornet (31-FRA). Between May and September, Bouchard didn’t really have any notable performances, but kicked her playing into high gear in September. Starting in Quebec, at the Challenge Bell, Bouchard made it to the semi-finals losing to Safarova (CZE) in a close 3 set match. Next she lost to Venus Williams (USA) in a tight 3 set match in the quarter-finals, in the Toray Pan Pacific Open. Next, at the China Open, she made it through qualifying and made it to the round of 32, losing to Sloane Stephens (USA [13]) 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. In the Japan Women’s Open Tennis Tournament, Bouchard made it all the way to the finals, losing to Samantha Stousr (AUS [3]). She played strongly in this match, but lost in 3 sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. Unfortunately, in her final tournament of the year, BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open, she lost her first match to Petkovic (GER [40]). This year was a success for Bouchard. For the 19-year-old, she had a similar year like Milos in 2011. She has become a rising star on the Women’s tennis circuit.

Other notable Canadians

Gabriela Dabrowski (Doubles Rank – 61), Sharon Fishman (Singles Rank – 106, Doubles Rank – 81), Frank Dancevic (Singles Rank – 134), Jessie Levine (Singles Rank – 150), Peter Polansky – (Singles Rank – 152)

Davis Cup 2013

Canada surpassed everyone’s expectations this year. Daniel Nestor, Vasek Pospisil, Milos Raonic, Frank Dancevic and Captain Martin Laurendeau made it to the semi-finals; closely being edged out by Serbia. Serbia won 3-2. Milos won his singles match against Janko Tipsarevic in a close 5 set match. Milos at the time, ranked 11th while Tipsarevic, 23rd. Canada’s other win came with Canada’s doubles legend, Daniel Nestor and youthful Vasek Pospisil. Another close victory, the Canadians beat Bozoljac and Zimonjic in the similar fashion to Milos’ win, 6-7(6), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5), 10-8. Djokovic, despite a grueling trek to the finals of the US Open, commanded his first place ranking while taking both of his matches in straight sets, beating both Posipsil and Raonic.

Aside for their loss over the Serbians, the Canadian team had victories against the Italians, Spain and South Africa, though losing their first series to France 4-1. Against Italy, the Canadians had 4 tight matches, though coming on the winning side 3 times, The only match lost by the Canadians was by Pospisil against Seppi [18th], though he did not begin his second singles match against Fognini. There was an upset over strong Spanish team. Missing their top two players, Verdasco [30] and Nadal [1], the Canadians were able to take the Spaniards 3-2 in their series. Against South Africa, the Canadians commanded victory, winning all of their matches in straight sets except their doubles match. Pospisil and Nestor in straight sets to Klaasen/Van der Merwe 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.

Notable Juniors

Carol Zhao (Singles Rank – 32), Marika Akkerman (Singles Rank – 66), Brayden Schnur (Singles Rank – 86), Tommy Milnikov (Singles Rank – 105). Hugo Di Feo (Singles Rank – 112)