Michelsen shocks Musetti; Ruud recovers in Toronto tennis tournament
Toronto Masters 1000: Ruud's Comeback, Michelsen's Breakthrough, and Khachanov's Dominance
In the 2025 Masters 1000 tournament at the National Bank Open in Toronto, several players have made their mark in the Round of 16.
Casper Ruud, seeded 8th, has shown resilience after a series of injuries, having only played four matches since Roland Garros. Despite trailing 4-1 in the first set, Ruud managed to turn the tables and secure a hard-fought victory over Portugal's Nuno Borges, who he had previously lost to at Roland Garros in May. Ruud's latest victory brings his season tally to 21 wins.
Ruud's performance was marked by nine aces, but he nearly committed 50 unforced errors in the match. However, he attributed his victory to an improvement in his return game, which proved crucial in the turnaround.
Meanwhile, Alex Michelsen, seeded 26th, dominated his match against fellow American Learner Tien, winning comfortably in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. Michelsen converted two out of nine break chances in the match and nearly committed 50 unforced errors, but his strong returning game and offensive play were enough to secure his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
Michelsen was delighted to beat Borges after his Roland Garros loss and expressed his gratitude for reaching the last 16 of a Masters 1000 tournament for the first time.
Alexei Popyrin, the 18th seed, overcame a frustrating first set to defeat 5th seed Holger Rune in a three-set match 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. Popyrin's victory keeps his title defense alive and sets him up for a quarterfinal match against 1st seed Alexander Zverev, who advanced via opponent retirement.
Karen Khachanov, seeded 11th, delivered a solid performance, beating Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-4, 7-5. This marked Khachanov's first win against a top-20 player this season. He booked his second Masters round of 16 spot this season after defeating US qualifier Emilio Nava 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-1.
Ruud and Khachanov will face each other in the next round, with Ruud seeking revenge against Khachanov, who they last played in a 2022 US Open semi-final won by Ruud.
Other players who advanced to the last 16 include Taylor Fritz, who had a straight-sets victory against Roberto Carballes Baena. The results set up some exciting quarterfinal matchups, including Zverev facing Popyrin.
As the tournament progresses toward the final rounds, the solid form of these players is evident, with each match bringing new challenges and opportunities.
In the ongoing Masters 1000 tournament at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Alex Michelsen, seeds 26th, demonstrated his skills in tennis, dominating his match against Learner Tien.
Amidst the Round of 16, sports enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming tennis match between Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov, both 8th and 11th seeds respectively, who will face each other for a rematch from the 2022 US Open semi-finals.
