Nationwide Financial institution Open 2025 Day 7 Recap

The highest half of the draw wrapped up its Spherical of 16 motion on Saturday in Toronto, and whereas the matches weren’t filled with drama, they did provide a glimpse of who’s settling into gear heading into the enterprise finish of the match.

Alexei Popyrin stored his title defence alive with a gritty comeback over Holger Rune, flipping the script after a irritating first set the place he went 0-for-11 on break factors. His serving and forehand fired up simply in time, organising a quarterfinal in opposition to high seed Alexander Zverev, who superior after Francisco Cerundolo retired early within the second set because of an belly problem.

Elsewhere, Alex Michelsen dominated fellow American Learner Tien in a match that by no means actually obtained going, whereas Karen Khachanov delivered one in every of his cleanest performances of the season to dismiss Casper Ruud in straight units.

Right here’s a full breakdown of Day 7 motion as we head into the ultimate stretch in Toronto.

Day Seven Canadian Open 2025 Spherical of 16 Outcomes

Winner
Loser
Scoreline

Alexander Zverev (1)
Francisco Cerdundolo (14)
6-4 1-0 RET

Alexei Popyrin (18)
Holger Rune (5)
4-6 6-2 6-3

Alex Michelsen (26)
Learner Tien
6-3 6-3

Karen Khachanov (11)
Casper Ruud (8)
6-4 7-5

Key Matches

Alexei Popyrin def. Holger Rune, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3

Defending champion Alexei Popyrin stored his title defence alive, rallying previous fifth seed Holger Rune 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 to achieve the quarter-finals.

I believed Rune seemed in fairly good kind after his coaching block with Agassi, and after Popyrn went 0/11 on break factors within the first set, it seemed just like the Dane had one foot within the final eight.

Nonetheless, Popyrin has an explosive recreation, and he unleashed 14 aces and 13 forehand winners whereas committing simply two unforced errors within the second set to get degree earlier than carrying that momentum into the third.

The World No. 26 faces high seed Alexander Zverev subsequent, aiming to defend his 1000 factors.

Alex Michelsen def. Learner Tien, 6-3, 6-3

Alex Michelsen outclassed Learner Tien 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes, reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final.

Tien is often a brick wall, however his 42 unforced errors allowed Michelsen to dictate along with his forehand. 8 double faults didn’t assist his trigger both and he was on the again foot in mainly each service recreation, not an excellent place to be in.

Karen Khachanov def. Casper Ruud, 6-4, 7-5

Karen Khachanov upset eighth seed Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-5, securing his first win over the Norwegian in three conferences.

The Russian’s relentless baseline recreation proved too stable and he moved the ball round properly, profitable 80% of rallies underneath 5 pictures.

I’d mistakingly thought Ruud had discovered some first rate kind primarily based on highlights, however having watched some longer footage of his first two matches, his recreation was all around the store, relying extra on his expertise to get the job performed.

Alexander Zverev def. Francisco Cerundolo, 6-4, 2-1 (Ret.)

Alexander Zverev superior to the Toronto quarter-finals when Francisco Cerundolo retired at 6-4, 2-1 because of an belly pressure on the Nationwide Financial institution Open. 

Cerundolo struggled all through with taped abs and restricted serving energy. He’s not recognized for retiring on the drop of the hat so it’s secure to imagine he wasn’t in a position to play.

Zverev consoled Cerundolo on the 5-4 changeover earlier than closing out the primary set and the Argentine performed yet one more recreation earlier than calling it quits.

Highlights

Canadian Open 2025 Day 8 Spherical of 16 Matches