Zverev, Rune, Gauff Advance as Ito Stuns Paolini at Canadian Masters Events

Posted : 30 July 2025

Top seed Alexander Zverev made a triumphant return to tennis on Tuesday at the ATP Toronto Masters, defeating Adam Walton 7-6(6), 6-3 to advance to the third round. The German, who took a break following a first-round Wimbledon loss due to mental burnout, also spent time at Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca for guidance.

In a match that included a 52-shot rally, Zverev rallied from 4-1 down in the first-set tiebreak and overcame a brief wobble while serving for the match, eventually sealing victory when Walton double-faulted on match point. The win marked Zverev’s 499th career triumph.

Elsewhere, Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi defeated qualifier Tristan Schoolkate in three sets to set up a clash with Zverev, while Lorenzo Musetti and Holger Rune both cruised into the third round after straight-set victories. Musetti brushed past Australian qualifier James Duckworth 7-5, 6-1, capitalising on over 30 unforced errors, while Rune overcame France’s big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(7), 6-3. Rune, who hadn’t won a hardcourt match since March, kept his composure with only 10 unforced errors and key service holds.

Additional ATP winners included Casper Ruud, who defeated Roman Safiullin 6-3, 6-3, and Karen Khachanov, who eased past Juan Pablo Ficovich. Last year's Canadian champion, Alexei Popyrin, beat Canadian wild card Nicolas Arseneault, while Denis Shapovalov’s winless home streak continued with a loss to Learner Tien. Daniil Medvedev also advanced, surviving a scrappy performance against Dalibor Svrcina, riddled with over 40 unforced errors.

On the WTA side in Montreal, World No. 2 Coco Gauff endured a marathon three-set match to defeat fellow American Danielle Collins 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2). Gauff, who fired 23 double faults but showed resilience, won the final six points of the third-set tiebreak to secure her first win since claiming the Roland Garros title. She next faces fifth-ranked Veronika Kudermetova.

The biggest surprise of the day came from Japanese qualifier Aoi Ito, who stunned No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(5) in a dramatic encounter. Ito, ranked 110 in the world, saved a match point in the second set and secured her first-ever win over a top-10 opponent to reach the third round, where she will face Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Other results included Leylah Fernandez’s early exit at home to Maya Joint, and Anna Kalinskaya’s narrow three-set win over Ann Li. Mirra Andreeva also progressed without playing, as Canada’s Bianca Andreescu withdrew due to an ankle injury. The Canadian Masters events continue to provide dramatic moments and strong performances as players prepare for the upcoming US Open.

Zverev, Rune, Gauff Advance as Ito Stuns Paolini at Canadian Masters Events

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics