Returning to defend his title in Toronto, Popyrin<\/a> made a strong start, taking down Nicolas Arsenault, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune en route to the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n It was there that his run came to an end, losing out to Germany\u2019s Alexander Zverev<\/a> in three sets 7-6, 4-6, 3-6.<\/p>\n Reflecting on his unsuccessful Canadian Open<\/a> title defence, Popyrin highlighted what the number one seed did during the first set, which he found \u2018unbelievable\u2019.<\/p>\n Alexei Popyrin thought Alexander Zverev played an \u2018unbelievable game\u2019 to break him<\/p>\n During his post-match press conference, Popyrin shared his thoughts on his Canadian Open quarterfinal defeat.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I think it was a high-level match. He\u2019s number three in the world for a reason,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the first set, mainly, I was probably the more aggressive player.<\/p>\n \u201cThen he kind of got in his rhythm, and then, I did a good job just clawing back a break.<\/p>\n \u201cHe played an unbelievable game at 5-4 to break. He read my serve twice, was on my serve, and played a great game.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the third set, I think it was the battle of the fittest. He came out serving bombs, and I didn\u2019t really have much chance on his serve. He broke me in the first game of my serve in the second set.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, yeah, it was tough to take, I tried my best to claw myself back into the third set.<\/p>\n \u201cOverall, my level is there, I haven\u2019t felt like this all year, which is nice, so I feel like I\u2019m slowly starting to build something.\u201d<\/p>\n The Australian explained how his game plan fell apart against Zverev, as he lost out in a three-set thriller.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I think he played solid, and he always plays solid, so I don\u2019t think much has changed in his game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew my tactics going out into the match, and I thought I executed them pretty well throughout most of the match.<\/p>\n \u201cBut once he gets in the rhythm, he\u2019s one of the better players in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, it was just to try and not give him the rhythm. I did a little bit, but I gave him too much rhythm towards the end of the match.\u201d<\/p>\n Zverev extended his winning record to 4-0 against Popyrin with his latest victory in Toronto, as he continues to dominate the world number 26.<\/p>\n MatchWinnerLoserScore2025 Canadian Open \u2013 QFAlexander ZverevAlexei Popyrin6-7, 6-4, 6-32024 Olympics \u2013 3RAlexander ZverevAlexei Popyrin7-5, 6-32019 Mexican Open \u2013 1RAlexander ZverevAlexei Popyrin6-3, 6-32018 Swiss Indoors \u2013 2RAlexander ZverevAlexei Popyrin6-4, 6-4Alexei Popyrin and Alexander Zverev\u2019s head-to-head record<\/p>\n The German will now turn his attention to the semifinals, as he edges closer to an eighth Masters 1000 title.<\/p>\n Alexander Zverev\u2019s path to the Canadian Open title<\/p>\n Next up for Zverev is Russia\u2019s Karen Khachanov<\/a>, who has been on a tear in Toronto, defeating seeded players Casper Ruud and Alex Michelsen in his previous two matches.<\/p>\n The German will, however, likely be considered the favorite for their semifinal clash, having won each of their previous three ATP Tour<\/a> meetings.<\/p>\n 2024 Cincinnati Open 2R \u2013 Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov2024 Miami Open 4R \u2013 Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov2021 Olympics F \u2013 Alexander Zverev defeated Karen Khachanov<\/p>\n Their most notable clash came at the Olympic Games<\/a> four years ago, when Zverev beat Khachanov in straight sets to clinch the gold medal.<\/p>\n If Zverev can pick up a fourth consecutive win over Khachanov, he\u2019d move into the final to play one of Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton, Andrey Rublev, or Taylor Fritz<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Alexei](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2227581442-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Mert Alper Dervis\/Anadolu via Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Alexander](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754424431_332_GettyImages-2228569243-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Karen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2228578697-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images<\/p>\n