Ex-First Baseman Skips Canadian Vodka Shot
In a surprising turn of events, Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev's chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin this year are looking uncertain. The most decorated active Russian player recently suffered a loss in the third round of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers to Alexei Popyrin, last year's champion of the tournament.
Medvedev's loss to Popyrin comes just a few weeks before his triumph at the US Open, a stark contrast to his previous performances at the National Bank Open. In fact, he was the only man to reach back-to-back semifinals at this event in previous years. However, this year's tournament saw a weak field, with top players like Yannick Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and five others from the Top 10 absent.
Medvedev's loss does not significantly affect his ATP ranking, as a drop of one or two places is unlikely. As of August 2025, he is ranked 18th in the ATP rankings with 1,700 points, which places him outside the typical top 8 cutoff needed for ATP Finals qualification based on the current ATP Tour standings.
Despite this setback, Medvedev showed competitive form at the Citi DC Open in July 2025, reaching the quarterfinals after winning key matches. His recent performance suggests moderate form but not a clear surge toward top 8 rank at this stage.
Meanwhile, Alexei Popyrin, who won the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers just before his triumph at the US Open, had previously defeated Medvedev four times in their five meetings. Popyrin's victory over Medvedev in the third round of this year's tournament was a significant boost to his confidence.
On the women's side, Russia's top women's player, Mirra Andreeva, lost in the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal to American Mackenzie McCarthy. Andreeva's injury during the match, where she twisted her left ankle, is unlikely to significantly affect her position in the WTA Top 5, and if it's not serious, she should be able to participate in the next Premier 1000 tournament in Cincinnati in about a week.
McCarthy, who won two titles in 250-category tournaments in Hobart and Nottingham this season, clinched her victory over Andreeva despite losing her serve six times in total. The American's strong performance at the National Bank Open could potentially improve her ranking and boost her chances in upcoming tournaments.
In conclusion, while Medvedev’s ranking position currently suggests he is outside immediate qualification range for the ATP Finals in 2025, strong performances in upcoming tournaments like the National Bank Open, especially with some top players absent, could improve his chances to close that gap. His recent form shows competitive potential but not dominant momentum yet, so his qualification chances hinge on his performance in these remaining key events.
Sports enthusiasts might be interested in Alexei Popyrin's victory over Daniil Medvedev in the third round of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers, given Popyrin's past success against Medvedev and his upcoming bid to qualify for the ATP Finals in tennis. Though Medvedev's ATP ranking is currently outside the typical top 8 cutoff needed for ATP Finals qualification, his strong performances in upcoming tournaments, like the National Bank Open, could potentially improve his chances to close the gap.
