The slope to climb back is steep for the Canadian Vasek Pospisil, who is struggling to return to the level of yesteryear after being bored by injuries.

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The domestic tennis veteran had been unable to advance to the main draw at Wimbledon, losing in his first qualifying match in England. Forced to participate in a Challenger event in Malaga, Spain, he dropped the flag from the start of this clay court competition on Tuesday.

Indeed, Pospisil lost in two sets of 6-3 and 6-4 to local player Alberto Barroso-Campos, holder of the 445th rank in men's singles. Occupying the 134th place on the ATP circuit and being the second seed of the tournament, the athlete of the maple leaf remains in search of his bearings, he who has already reached the 25th world rank.

After a few months absence due to an elbow problem, Pospisil returned to action earlier this month at the Challenger in Ilkley, Great Britain.