Alexei Popyrin stuns No.5 seed Holger Rune in three units to notch a ninth straight Canadian Masters win and hold his title defence alive.
Toronto, Canada , 3 August 2025 | Vivienne Christie
Alexei Popyrin has stored his Canadian ATP Masters 1000 title defence on observe in spectacular trend, backing up his upset of Daniil Medvedev with one other come-from-behind win – this time over No.5 seed Holger Rune – to achieve the quarterfinals.
Popyrin rallied for a 4-6 6-2 6-1 victory over the higher-ranked Dane, marking his ninth consecutive match win on the prestigious occasion.
In 2024, Popyrin stormed to a breakthrough Masters title on the Canadian Open, defeating 5 seeds and three top-10 gamers – together with Andrey Rublev within the closing.
The event, which alternates every year between Montreal and Toronto, is clearly a contented looking floor for the Australian, who entered this 12 months’s draw ranked world No.26.
READ: Why Alexei Popyrin isn’t searching for ‘trade-off tennis’
“I’ve nonetheless received 1000 factors to defend right here,” Popyrin instructed Tennis TV earlier this week when requested about returning as defending champion in a distinct metropolis.
“I’m feeling fairly good right here, so let’s hope I can hold it going.”
He did precisely that in opposition to Rune, regardless of lacking 11 break level alternatives in a tense 54-minute opening set.
In a formidable turnaround, Popyrin broke serve in each the fourth and closing video games of the second set, then repeated an identical sample within the decider.
Throughout two hours, the Australian completed with 12 winners – together with six aces – in opposition to 13 unforced errors, whereas Rune fired 11 winners however proved extra erratic.
MORE: Popyrin to defend Canadian crown in Toronto
It marks Popyrin’s third ATP quarterfinal of 2025, following robust showings on clay in Monte Carlo and Geneva.
He subsequent faces both high seed Alexander Zverev, who superior when No.14 Francisco Cerundolo retired of their fourth-round match.
“I really feel snug on these courts, the place I hit my first aggressive shot after which can dictate from there,” Popyrin stated. “My forehand was the standout right this moment.”
Countryman Alex de Minaur additionally stays in competition in Canada, advancing to the fourth spherical after Chris O’Connell withdrew from their all-Australian conflict with an stomach damage.
De Minaur, the No.9 seed, will now meet seventh-seeded Frances Tiafoe as he targets back-to-back ATP titles, following his triumph in Washington final week.
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