After a freebie weekend of qualifying matches, the Vancouver Open officially served up its first round of play on Monday. Pucked in the Head was there to soak up some rays, snap a few pictures, and admire some damned fine athletes under gorgeous summer conditions.

You win some, you lose some

Canadians occupied quite a few qualifying and first round spots on both the men’s and women’s side of the draw. With one of the largest purses on the ATP Challengers Tour, the Vancouver Open (@vanopen on the mighty Twitter) also attracts a high-quality international field, with more than a dozen countries represented up at Hollyburn Country Club this week.

Round one of the men’s draw saw 22-year-old Steven Diez, ranked 218 in the world, defeat #202 Matt Reid of Australia in straight sets, 6–4, 6–2. Reid seemed a little rattled early on in the match, when one of his serves (clocked at 197 km per hour, mind you) hit a young ball girl in the temple. She was forced to withdraw from her duties in the back court. She would be fine, but Reid not so much. Diez broke him in the next service game and never looked back.

The women’s side was still in qualifying rounds on Monday — Canadian Stacey Fung lost in straight sets to Sherazad Benamar, a 24-year-old southpaw from France, 6–1, 6–3. Benamar overpowered the teen with superior net play, more mobility on the baseline, and more passion between points as well.

The Vancouver Open is on at Hollyburn all week, with the semis and finals going next Saturday and Sunday. Preliminary rounds offer some great value for tickets, as well, so head out to Hollyburn and enjoy some top flight tennis with some of the best up-and-coming professional players in the world.