Toronto, Canada – In a gritty performance marked by a tight battle and an unexpected fan interruption, Alexander Zverev ended Alexei Popyrin’s Canadian Open title defense on Monday, winning 6-7 (8/10), 6-4, 6-3 at the ATP Toronto Masters. The victory propels Zverev into his 21st Masters 1000 semifinal, showcasing his formidable form ahead of the US Open.
A Hard-Fought Comeback Against the Defending Champion
The quarterfinal clash saw the German, Alexander Zverev, secure his 40th win of the year in just over two and a half hours, overcoming a determined Alexei Popyrin, the defending champion from Australia. The match was a testament to Zverev’s resilience, especially after dropping a marathon opening set.
The first set was a tightly contested affair, extending to a 71-minute tiebreaker where neither player conceded much ground. Zverev, the top seed in Toronto, held two set points but couldn’t convert. Popyrin, meanwhile, capitalized on his second opportunity, sealing the set with a fortunate net cord winner that left Zverev stranded at the baseline.
Undeterred, Zverev began to turn the tables in the second set, racing to a 4-1 lead. Though Popyrin, known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, fought back admirably to level at 4-all, Zverev found another gear. He broke Popyrin’s serve decisively to clinch the set 6-4, as the Australian sent a volley wide, leveling the match at one set apiece. Zverev carried this momentum into the final set, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead early on his way to securing his semifinal berth.
Unruly Fan Interrupts, Zverev Stays Composed for Victory
The match’s dramatic climax in the final game, with Zverev serving for the match at 5-3, was briefly interrupted by an unruly fan’s shouts. The distraction, while brief, broke Zverev’s impressive streak of 14 consecutive points on his serve, even leading to a double-fault once play resumed. However, the world No. 3 quickly regained his composure, shaking off the incident to serve out the match. He sealed his victory on his first match point with a sharp volley winner at the net, demonstrating his focus under pressure.
Toronto History and Semifinal Prospects
Zverev holds a special connection with the Canadian Open, having won the tournament back in 2017. However, he had not managed to progress past the quarterfinals in Canada since that triumph, making this semifinal appearance a significant step. His consistent form throughout the year, highlighted by his 40 match wins, positions him as a strong contender for the title.
Alexei Popyrin, despite his strong showing as defending champion, remains winless against Zverev, having now lost all four of their encounters on the ATP Tour.
Zverev will now prepare for the semifinal, which is oddly scheduled for Thursday. He will face the winner of the later quarterfinal match between Russian Karen Khachanov and American young gun Alex Michelsen. Both potential opponents present different challenges, with Khachanov bringing Grand Slam semifinal experience and Michelsen, a qualifier, enjoying a breakthrough run in Toronto.
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