Alexander Zverev has powered his way into the semi-finals of the ATP Toronto Masters, ending Alexei Popyrin's title defence in a thrilling three-set encounter. The German star overcame a first-set deficit to secure a 6-7 (8/10), 6-4, 6-3 victory, marking his 21st Masters 1000 semi-final appearance.
The match wasn't without its drama. During the final game, with Zverev serving for the match at 5-3, an unruly fan disrupted play, leading to their removal by security. This interruption broke Zverev's impressive streak of 14 consecutive points on serve, causing a double fault upon resumption. However, he quickly regained his composure, sealing the win with a decisive volley at the net on his first match point.
Zverev, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, previously won the tournament in 2017 but hadn't progressed beyond the quarter-finals in Canada since. He acknowledged the high level of play from both competitors, stating, "After losing the first set, I had to tell myself we were both playing well. I had one or two mistakes at the end of the first, but it was a high-level match."
He added, "I felt that if I kept playing well, I would get my chances – and I did. I can't complain about the second and third sets."
The first set was a closely contested affair, stretching to a 71-minute tiebreaker. Despite having two set points, Zverev couldn't convert, and Popyrin ultimately clinched the set with a lucky net cord winner. However, Zverev turned the tide in the second set, establishing a 4-1 lead. Although Popyrin leveled at 4-all, Zverev broke back to win the set 6-4. He then dominated the final set, securing an early 3-0 lead en route to victory. This win marks Zverev's fourth consecutive victory over Popyrin.
Looking ahead, Zverev is set to face Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals. Khachanov defeated Alex Michelsen in his quarter-final match, setting up an intriguing clash for a spot in the final.
In other news from the Canadian Open, Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has continued her impressive run, reaching the semi-finals of the women's tournament in Montreal with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.