Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin showcased his remarkable ability to challenge the game’s best by defeating No. 9-ranked Holger Rune in the fourth round of the Toronto Masters 1000 event. Popyrin overcame a first-set loss to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 and secure his place in the quarterfinals.

This victory continues an impressive trend for Popyrin against top-tier opposition. Since last year’s Canadian Masters 1000 in Montreal, where he made a surprise run to his first Masters 1000 title, Popyrin has won seven of his last nine matches against Top 10 players. This stretch nearly extended to eight victories, as he led Jack Draper 4-2 in a decisive third-set tiebreak at Queen’s Club earlier this year before narrowly losing 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5).

Overall, Popyrin holds a 13-16 career record against Top 10 opponents, underscoring his capacity to challenge the elite despite not being a constant fixture at the highest level.

Notably, Popyrin remains unbeaten in the main draw of the Canadian Masters 1000 event, currently holding a perfect 9-0 record at this tournament. His continued success in Toronto further cements his reputation as one of the tour’s most dangerous giant-killers.

With this win, Popyrin advances further in a tournament that has become a significant stage for his breakthrough moments against top-ranked players.

Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko delivered a remarkable upset against top-seeded Coco Gauff on Saturday night, defeating the 18-year-old American 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open in Montreal. Mboko, ranked 85th globally, showcased aggressive gameplay and composure to overcome Gauff, who has struggled with consistency since her triumph at Roland Garros.

Gauff’s post-French Open form has been uneven, with early exits in Berlin and Wimbledon. At Montreal, she managed to survive two grueling three-setters despite issues with her serve, including 23 double faults in her opener against Danielle Collins and 14 more in the following match versus Veronika Kudermetova. Saturday’s match saw her commit five double faults, ultimately insufficient to fend off Mboko’s challenge.

This result marks a reversal of their previous encounter in Rome last May, where Gauff rallied to a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Mboko in the round-of-64. Now, Mboko will await the winner between Lin Zhu of China and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain for a spot in the semifinals.

Also progressing to the quarterfinals were Marta Kostyuk, who defeated McCartney Kessler in three sets, and Elena Rybakina, who outlasted Dayana Yastremska in another tightly contested match. Kostyuk and Rybakina will face each other next, setting up a compelling clash in the tournament’s later stages.

Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur are preparing to face each other at the ATP Toronto event, bringing together two players who have closely matched career trajectories yet have met only three times on the professional circuit. Both turned professional in 2015 and are in their mid-20s, with De Minaur currently ranked No. 8 and Tiafoe at No. 12. Their ranking positions remain close enough that a swap could easily happen within months.

Despite their similar paths, the two have rarely crossed on court, with their latest encounter dating to 2022 in Paris on indoor hard courts—a match won by Tiafoe. De Minaur holds victories in the other two encounters, also on hard courts. This infrequent rivalry is somewhat surprising given their complementary styles and appeal to spectators.

Tiafoe is known for his energetic engagement with the crowd, often seeking out daring shots that electrify the audience. In contrast, De Minaur plays with intense focus and relentless athleticism, his defensive skills and court coverage captivating to watch. “Tiafoe gives you the shot-making, while De Minaur gives you the running and the intensity,” highlighting how their contrasting approaches contribute to an entertaining matchup.

In 2025, De Minaur has shown superior form with a 37-13 win-loss record, boosted by his recent Citi Open title. Tiafoe’s season statistics stand at 22-16, but he has had notable moments, including becoming one of the first American men alongside Tommy Paul to reach the quarterfinals of Roland Garros since 2003. As they meet in Toronto, the question looms whether Tiafoe can halt De Minaur’s strong run on North American hard courts.