ATP Canadian Open Round-Up: Korda and Popyrin reach semifinals after upsets over Zverev and Hurkacz

Sebastian Korda (No. 18) and Alexei Popyrin (No. 62) secured their spots in the semifinals of the Canadian Open. The American played an inspired match against Alexander Zverev (No. 4) and came away with a hard-fought victory in the third set, 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-4.

Similarly, Australian Popyrin pulled off a surprise by coming back against Hubert Hurkacz, winning 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 to reach the semifinals of the Canadian Open for the first time in a Masters 1000 event. Popyrin and Korda will face off tonight for a place in the final.

Sebastian Korda surprises Alexander Zverev

The first set quickly tilted in favor of Alexander Zverev, who secured a break in the second game and took a 3-0 lead. However, the American fought back, recovering the break in the 7th game and eventually took the set in a tie-break, 7-6(5).

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Korda struggled to maintain his level in the second set. After securing his first service game, he faltered both on serve and return, allowing Zverev to win six consecutive games and take the set 6-1, forcing a decider.

In the third set, neither player was able to gain an advantage, with no break points played for a large part of the set. Korda finally managed to break in the 9th game after wasting three previous opportunities and closed out the match, 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-4.

Sebastian Korda at 2023 European Open

Alexei Popyrin stuns Hubert Hurkacz

Despite Hurkacz being the favorite, it was Popyrin who secured the first break, quickly going 2-0 up. Both players were inconsistent with their serves during the first set, with each having multiple break opportunities. The Polish player recovered from a poor start, getting two breaks to take the set 6-3.

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In the second set, Popyrin improved his serving while Hurkacz struggled with his first serve (only 45%). Both players managed a break each, and the set was decided in a tie-break, where the Australian proved more decisive to level the match 7-6(5).

The third set was a battle of nerves, with both players saving several break points against them. At 5-5, Popyrin seized his 10th break point to move ahead and closed out the match with his serve, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5. The Australian is set to climb over 20 positions and reach world No. 40 by the end of the tournament.