Alexei Popyrin may want to move to Canada. Good things happen to him here.
The defending champion improved his winning streak in the Great White North to nine matches on Thursday night with yet another comeback win over a higher seed. But he faces an even bigger challenge in the quarter finals.
Here is the Day 8 recap served up by Sobeys.
On-Court Action
With each passing win, Popyrin’s victory in Montreal last year is looking less and less random. For the second match in a row, the Aussie rallied from a set down to beat a higher seed, this time No. 5 Holger Rune after beating No. 10 Daniil Medvedev in round three.
He has now won all nine of his main draw matches in his career at the National Bank Open. Seven of those nine wins came against Top 20 opponents.
Popyrin was punished for missing a bevvy of early break points early in the first set when Rune converted his first opportunity and hung on to take the first set. But from there, it was all Popyrin, as he saved the only three break points he faced the rest of the way and converted all three chances of his own to reach the quarter-finals.
Next up will be his biggest challenge yet. He will take on top seed and fellow former Montreal champion Alexander Zverev. The world number three advanced when Francisco Cerundolo retired in the second set of their match to close the night session.
Read also: Fritz, Shelton Shine in their Neighbour’s Yard
The day began with a milestone win for Alex Michelsen. A first-time Masters 1000 quarter-finalist was guaranteed to come out of that section of the draw and it will be the 26th seed, who beat his countryman Learner Tien in straight sets.
He will meet 11th seed Karen Khachanov, who is in the midst of yet another strong run in Canada. He defeated eighth seed Casper Ruud in straight sets to reach his third quarter-final at the National Bank Open. The 29-year-old reached back-to-back semifinals in Canada in 2018 and 2019.
Canada’s hope of a home champion came to an end on Saturday, as Liam Draxl and Cleeve Harper, the last Canadian’s left in any draw in Toronto, were beaten in two tight sets by Guido Andreozzi and Sander Arends.
CLICK HERE to read all the results from Saturday.
Around the Grounds
TennisFest kicked off on Saturday at Sobeys Stadium, with more fun and games to celebrate on the long weekend in Toronto. One of those activities was a Paint-and-Sip on the TC Main Stage.
Two-time Grand Slam champions Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten had the toughest test of their careers – mini-tennis against fans of all ages.
And if you caught Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils’ doubles win, the American-French duo gave the fans some delicious Lindt Lindor chocolates.
The ATP's best return to Toronto this summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at Sobeys Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!
Feature Photo : Peter Power
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