National Bank Open 2025 Day 7 Recap

The upper half of the draw put in its round with 16 action on Saturday in Toronto, and while the matches were not packed with drama, they offered a glimpse of who settled in gear on their way at the end of the business.

Alexei Popyrin gave his title defense alive with a rough comeback over Holger Rune, and turn the script after a frustrating first set where he went 0-for-11 on break points. His serving and advance shot up just in time and set up a quarter final against top seeds Alexander Zverev, who advanced after Francisco Cerundolo retired early in the second set due to a abdominal problem.

Elsewhere, Alex Michelsen American student dominated Tien in a match that never really began, while Karen Khachanov delivered one of his purest performances of the season to harm Casper Ruud in straight sets.

Here is a complete division of day 7 -action as we enter the last stretch in Toronto.

Day seven Canadian Open 2025 round of 16 results

Key matches

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

The defending champion Alexei Popyrin held his title defense alive and gathered past Fifth Frö Holger Rune 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 to reach the quarter final.

I thought Rune saw in pretty good shape after his training block with Agassi, and after Popyrn went 0/11 at breaking points in the first set it looked like the Danish had a foot in the last eight.

However, the Popyrin has an explosive game, and he released 14 ESS and 13 forehand winners while he only committed two unmatched errors in the second set to get a level before he carried that momentum to the third.

World No. 26 is facing top seed Alexander Zverev next and aims to defend his 1000 points.

Alex Michelsen Def. Teacher Tien, 6-3, 6-3

Alex Michelsen surpassed the student Tien 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes and reached his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter final.

Tien is usually a brick wall, but his 42 unthreatened errors allowed Michels to dictate with his forehand. 8 Double errors didn’t help his thing either and he was on the back foot II principle every service game, not a good position to be in.

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

Karen Khachanov upset eighth seed Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-5, and secured his first victory over Norwegian in three meetings.

Russia’s relentless baseline game turned out to be too solid and he moved the ball nicely and won 80% of rally under five shots.

I mistakenly thought Ruud had found some decent form based on highlights, but after seeing some longer pictures of his first two matches his games were all over the store and relied on more on his experience to get the job done.

Alexander Zverev Def. Francisco Cerundolo, 6-4, 2-1 (ret.)

Alexander Zverev advanced to the Toronto quarter finals when Francisco Cerundolo retired 6-4, 2-1 due to an abdominal man at the National Bank Open.

Cerundolo was constantly struggling with taped ABS and limited serving power. He is not known because he retired at the hat so it is safe to assume that he could not play.

Zverev comforted Cerundolo at the 5-4 change before closing the first set and Argentinian played another game before he called it ended.

Highlights

Canadian Open 2025 Day 8 round of 16 matches