High-Seeded Zverev Dethrones Defending-Champion Popyrin for seventy fifth Semifinal in Toronto

By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, August 4, 2025Photo credit score: Peter Energy/Tennis Canada/Nationwide Financial institution Open Fb

Popping with physicality, Alexander Zverev unleashed a collection of kangaroo hops behind the baseline greater than two hours into tonight’s match.

Exhibiting spring in his steps and sting on his pictures, Zverev dethroned defending Nationwide Financial institution Open champion Alexei Popyrin 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3 to bounce right into a historic semifinal. 

The highest-seeded Zverev snapped Popyrin’s nine-match successful streak on the Canadian Open creating historical past for the second time within the match. 

Zverev, who rallied to his five hundredth profession victory on Thursday, superior to his seventy fifth profession Tour-level semifinal, together with his twenty first ATP Masters 1000 last 4, tonight. 

The previous Olympic gold-medal champion joins reigning gold-medal champion Novak Djokovic (196) as simply the second energetic man to succeed in 75 profession semifinals.

First man within the Ultimate 4 🙌@AlexZverev comes again from a set right down to take out defending champ Popyrin 6-7 6-4 6-4 🔥#NBO25 pic.twitter.com/brO0XsZecH

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 5, 2025

The 27-year-old German, who gained the 2017 Montreal title, will play both Eleventh-seeded Karen Khachanov or 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen for a spot within the Toronto last.

A tense opening set noticed every man save a break level earlier than drama spiked within the tiebreaker. 

In a topsy-turvy tiebreaker, Popyrin seized a 5-3 lead solely to see Zverev reel off three factors in a row for a set level at 6-5. 

A diagonal forehand from the Aussie drew a backhand error for 6-all. Popyrin held a set level at 7-6, however Zverev slid a serve down the T to put it aside. 

The highest seed held a second set level at 8-7 however netted a forehand return off a second serve, erupting in a primal scream of anguish. 

Popyrin crashed a 139 mph ace down the T—his eighth ace—for a second set level at 9-8. Popyrin confirmed his guts attacking behind a forehand down the road then tapped a half volley that kissed the highest of the tape and dribbled over to finish a good first set. 

Merciless strategy to finish an exciting set 🤯

Alexei Popyrin claims this opener 7-6 ✅#NBO25 pic.twitter.com/IDgiH1XRyc

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 5, 2025

Popyrin raised each palms in apology, taking a one set lead after 1 hour, 11 minutes of play.

Resetting, Zverev held to begin the second set then gained the primary break of the night time on a collection of miscues from the Aussie. Popyrin sailed a forehand and double faulted deep ceding the break and a 2-0 second-set lead. 

Zverev stamped his second love maintain of the match extending his benefit to 3-0. 

Seemingly in charge of the set at 4-2, Zverev’s forehand failed him within the seventh recreation. The German decelerated slapping a forehand into the web—his third forehand error of the sport—gifting the champion the love break as Popyrin crept nearer at 3-4. 

Getting into the court docket and placing his physique weight behind the ball, Zverev lashed a forehand down the road for triple set level within the tenth recreation. Although Popyrin saved the primary set level, he tried the serve-and-volley and pushed a makeable forehand volley broad as Zverev snatched the second set together with his second break after one hour, 58 minutes.

An more and more weary-looking Popyrin opened the court docket with a large serve however pushed his favored forehand broad to face a break level. Popyrin sailed a backhand broad ending a sloppy recreation to reward Zverev the break and a 2-0 lead within the last set. 

A pumped-up Zverev pulled off the shot of the match—an excellent full-stretch flying forehand volley winner to assist him maintain at 15 for a 3-0 lead.

Serving with command within the last set, Zverev served 70 p.c and gained 15 of 15 first-serve factors. Spectacular, particularly contemplating one fool within the crowd was screaming in distraction because the German’s ball toss went up within the last recreation. The disruptor elicited a double-fault, however credit score Toronto safety for locating the unruly fan and escorting him out of the stadium.

Zverev closed in two hours, 42 minutes pausing to show and wave bye bye to the second of the stadium the place the disruptor was sitting.