Alexei Popyrin’s stunning run in Canada has ended. The Australian, who captured the 2024 Canadian Open as an unseeded outsider, bowed out in the quarter-finals in Toronto.
Alexander Zverev, the top-seeded German, rallied from a set down to win 6‑7(10), 6‑4, 6‑3.
With the victory, Zverev notched his 75th ATP Tour semi-final, joining Novak Djokovic among active players to achieve this milestone. The win also extended his head-to-head edge over Popyrin to 4–0.
Popyrin had earlier stunned fans by eliminating Daniil Medvedev in the third round, consigning the world No. 1 to an early exit.
Riding on that momentum, he had upset Holger Rune in a comeback, rallying after losing the first set to take out the fifth seed.
A Fierce Battle and a Viral Moment
Despite the defeat, the Australian cracks the ATP live Top 20 rankings ahead of the U.S. Open. His performance a year after his surprising 2024 triumph — only weeks before his Masters title — showcased impressive consistency under pressure.
Zverev’s win wasn’t just about tennis. Late in the match, a heckling fan disrupted his serve at 5–3, 30–0 in the final set. Unshaken, Zverev calmly asked for quiet and later waved “bye-bye” to the fan after sealing the win.
“I had to find a return position in the beginning because he’s a very big server,” Zverev said. “Honestly, I can’t complain about much.”
Former champion Jannik Sinner withdrew due to an elbow injury, while Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic also skipped the tournament.
This year’s Canadian Open introduced a two-week format, changing the schedule and prompting fatigued players to prioritize recovery over competition.
Popyrin’s Rise and Zverev’s Momentum
Popyrin’s 2024 Canadian Open win remains one of the tournament’s most unexpected milestones.
Ranked No. 62, he became the lowest-ranked champion in men’s singles in over two decades and the first Australian to win a Masters 1000 since 2003.
This year, he delivered dominant performances against top contenders such as Rune and Medvedev before running into Zverev’s superior execution.
Though his title defense has ended, Popyrin’s impact in Canada has cemented his reputation as a tournament specialist.
Zverev, meanwhile, continues his strong 2025 season. He now prepares to face Karen Khachanov in the semifinals, aiming for his second Canadian Open title after winning in 2017.
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