Vancouver tennis star takes on Roger Federer

A rising Vancouver tennis star took on his idol, Roger Federer, in the second round of the Rogers Cup men's tennis championship in Montreal.

Roger Federer defeated Vasek Pospisil, 21, in straight sets in the men's draw of the Rogers Cup Wednesday morning.

Pospisil, a native of Vernon, B.C., who now lives in Vancouver, was matched with Federer following a surprise win against Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela. Pospisil was ranked 155th going into the match with Chela.

Those who watched Pospisil growing up say they are not surprised he performed so well.

"When Vasek was 12 he was considered top ranked player," said his former coach, Vadim Korkh.

He describes Pospisil as one of the best players he has ever worked with.

"I would call him all-court player," Korkh said. "He is very aggressive on the base line, very good in defence and hand on the net."

This isn't the first time Pospisil met his tennis idol on the court. In 2008, Pospisil was Federer's warm-up partner at the Australian Open.

But facing Federer at the Rogers Cup was by far the biggest moment of Pospisil's career.

"It doesn't get bigger," said Jody Vance with CBC Sports. "Really it doesn't at this point. [He's] 21 and we are all paying attention. We are learning his name, saying his name, showing the footage. I can't imagine."

Speaking to CBC News before the match, Korkh said his former student would be a winner regardless of the outcome of the match.

"[There's] nothing to lose. The crowd will be behind him. He will have the best player ever playing tennis and he will learn from him as well."

It was just the third time Federer has played a Canadian opponent in 966 career matches.