ATP Masters National Bank Open
Alexander Zverev Advances to National Bank Open Semifinals with Comeback Win
Alexander Zverev overcomes Alexei Popyrin to reach National Bank Open semifinals in Toronto.

Top seed Alexander Zverev rallied past the defending champion Alexei Popyrin in a tense quarterfinal match at the National Bank Open in Toronto. Zverev lost the opening set in a close tiebreak 6-7 (8) but fought back to claim the next two sets 6-4, 6-3.
Zverev, a German ranked No. 3 globally and the 2017 winner of this tournament, reached his 75th ATP Tour semifinal and is targeting his 25th ATP title and eighth at the Masters 1000 level. He will meet No. 11 seed Karen Khachanov from Russia next, who defeated No. 26 Alex Michelsen 6-4, 7-6 (3) to reach the semis.
The match began with Popyrin taking the first set after a deft backhand volley dropped just over the net at 6-7 (8), energizing his fans. Zverev showed frustration briefly by striking a ball out of the stadium but quickly regrouped, securing an early 2-0 lead in the second set. Both players exchanged breaks, but Zverev broke late to take the set 6-4.
Zverev then secured two breaks early in the third set to gain a 2-0 lead and never relinquished his advantage, closing out the match. His victory improves his career record against Popyrin to 4-0, including a win at the Paris Olympics.
This season, Zverev has won two clay-court titles and is the highest-ranked player in a Toronto field missing key stars such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper, and Novak Djokovic. The remaining quarterfinals will see Taylor Fritz face Andrey Rublev and Ben Shelton take on Alex de Minaur, with semifinals scheduled for Wednesday and the final on Thursday.
ATP Player News
Carlos Alcaraz Reflects on Wimbledon Final Loss and Sets Sights on Regaining No. 1
Carlos Alcaraz embraces his Wimbledon final loss to Jannik Sinner and aims to regain No. 1 ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz spoke candidly about his emotions following the Wimbledon final defeat to Jannik Sinner during his pre-tournament press conference at the Cincinnati Open. Despite losing his first Grand Slam final in a four-set match (4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4), Alcaraz expressed that he “left the court happy” and proud of his performance. The world No. 2 acknowledged that losing a Grand Slam final was inevitable, saying, “Everyone does.” He emphasized gratitude for his achievements and the experience of reaching the Wimbledon final.
Following the loss, Alcaraz chose to skip the Canadian Masters to prioritize rest ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam. His demanding schedule this year includes titles at Monte Carlo, Rome, the French Open, and Queen’s Club, along with finals appearances in Barcelona and Wimbledon. He humorously noted, “For myself, when I’m off, I’m off… I’m just waiting for them with breakfast. I’m already eating!”
With a substantial lead of 1,540 points over Sinner in the ATP Race to Turin, Alcaraz looks to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking he last held in August 2023. He commented, “My goal from now until the end of the season is to reclaim the world number 1 spot.”
Alcaraz also reflected on his budding rivalry with Sinner that has already shaped tennis history over the last 18 months. Having contested the longest-ever French Open final and now the Wimbledon final, he stated, “I’m really happy to be building such a great rivalry against Jannik… I think we have such long careers ahead, just to see how far we can go.”
At the Cincinnati Open, Alcaraz is set to face either Mattia Bellucci or Damir Dzhumhur in the opening round.
ATP Player News Tennis Coaching
Jannik Sinner Reinstates Coach Umberto Ferrara After Doping Controversy
Jannik Sinner explains hiring back fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara amid doping test fallout.

Jannik Sinner has publicly addressed the return of Umberto Ferrara to his team, a decision made more than a year after the fitness trainer was dismissed following positive doping tests in 2024. Just over a week after securing his Wimbledon title in July 2025, Sinner’s camp confirmed Ferrara’s reinstatement as part of preparations for the Cincinnati Open and US Open.
“The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik’s management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and US Open,” said a statement from Sinner’s team. The return underscores a focus on continuity and sustaining performance at the highest level, acknowledging Ferrara’s previous important contributions to Sinner’s development.
Ferrara was initially dismissed along with physiotherapist Ulises Badio shortly before the 2024 US Open after Sinner tested positive twice for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024 at the Indian Wells Masters. Although an independent tribunal under The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled Sinner bore “no fault or negligence,” he later served a ban from February to May 2024 following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency.
In his press conference at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, Sinner refrained from detailed comments on rehiring Ferrara, saying, “Yeah, I think we said it all, everything in the statement. I’m very happy to be here and play again this tournament.”
Reflecting on his 2024 personnel changes, Sinner said, “I want to start with [saying] that they have been a huge part of my career. We made an incredible job, bringing a lot of success and then having a great team behind me. Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them.”
The doping violation report attributed responsibility to Ferrara and Naldi, noting Ferrara had provided Naldi with trofodermin, a spray containing clostebol used to treat a cut on Naldi’s hand. It was alleged that Naldi subsequently contaminated Sinner during treatment, as he had massaged Sinner without gloves after applying the spray. Ferrara warned Naldi about the substance’s prohibited status but was reportedly aware that gloves were not typically used in Sinner’s treatments.
Ferrara originally joined Sinner’s team in 2022 and played a key role in his early career achievements. The decision to reintegrate him appears aimed at restoring team stability amid ongoing competitive challenges.
ATP Masters National Bank Open
Karen Khachanov Reflects on Key Moments in Victory over Alexander Zverev at 2025 Canadian Masters
Karen Khachanov credits pressure and nerves as key factors in his Canadian Masters semifinal win over Zverev.

Karen Khachanov expressed immense satisfaction after securing a spot in the final of the 2025 Canadian Masters, following a tense 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) semifinal win over world No. 3 Alexander Zverev. The Russian overcame a match point en route to the victory, demonstrating resilience and composure during the crucial third-set tiebreak.
This marks Khachanov’s second Masters 1000 final, having previously reached and won the Paris-Bercy final in 2018 against Novak Djokovic. “Yeah, definitely feels good,” he said in his post-match press conference. “Having a great run so far, having another opportunity to play the final in this big event. So, yeah, super happy, super proud to do it once again.”
Khachanov acknowledged the ups and downs of his career, noting the balance between Masters 1000 events and other significant achievements. “Even though it’s been quite a few years, but at the same time during this period I achieved some other great results in the Grand Slams, or the other achievements, so that’s why.” He emphasized that at such stages, both players deserve to win, and the outcome often hinges on who performs better in critical moments.
He detailed the pivotal moments in the match: “I was down 3-1, then I came back to 3-All. Then, it seems he made two unforced errors. But again, maybe I put a little bit more pressure, he got a little bit more nervous, more tight. So, this is how you play in those moments. You try to bring your A-game, and you can win, you can lose, but it is what it is.”
Khachanov will face Ben Shelton in the final, who reached his first career Masters 1000 final by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3. The pair have met once earlier in the year at Indian Wells, where Shelton won 6-3, 7-5.
Reflecting on his performance in Canada, Khachanov admitted initial discomfort with the conditions but stressed adaptation as a key factor in his success. “When I came here I didn’t like the conditions. I can say it now. But that’s all about adjusting and adapting. I think tennis is all about that. Every week we play in different events. That’s why a lot of things matter sometimes on the results, so that’s why I think the question is about who adapts better. After you pass a couple of rounds, you start playing better.”
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