Defending champion Alexei Popyrin fought back from losing the first set to defeat world No. 9 Holger Rune 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, securing his place in the National Bank Open quarter-finals.
The Australian, who has built a reputation for upsetting top players, will next face Alexander Zverev in the last eight. Zverev advanced after Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo retired while trailing 6-4, 1-0.
Popyrin began strongly against Rune but couldn’t capitalize on early opportunities, squandering 11 break points as the fifth-seeded Dane took the opening set. The 25-year-old bounced back in the second set, converting two breaks while committing just two unforced errors, before comfortably closing out the match in the third.
“I came into this week low on confidence and needing to work on my mental game,” Popyrin said. “But I decided to let go of the pressure. After losing the first set, I was frustrated, but when I stepped back out, I felt in control. I told myself to stay aggressive on the next break point, and from there, I found my rhythm.”
Popyrin has now won seven of his last nine matches against top-10 opponents, continuing a strong run that began during his title-winning campaign at last year’s Canadian ATP Masters 1000. The 18th seed has extended his winning streak in Canada to nine matches ahead of his quarter-final clash with world No. 3 Zverev.
Zverev is the top seed in Toronto, with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner (the 2023 champion) and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz opting out of the tournament.
“I feel confident on these courts—I can land that first aggressive shot and take control,” Popyrin said. “Today, my forehand was the key.”
In other matches, American Alex Michelsen advanced to the quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-3 win over compatriot Learner Tien. He will face 11th seed Karen Khachanov, who defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-5.
Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur will play seventh seed Frances Tiafoe for a quarter-final spot after Christopher O’Connell withdrew from their all-Australian third-round match due to an abdominal injury.
