ATP 1000 Montreal Masters Semi-Finals: Rublev and Poplin Advance to Final

The semi-finals of the ATP 1000 Montreal Masters have concluded, with the No. 5 seed, Russian star Andrey Rublev, continuing his impressive run. Rublev defeated Italian rising star Lorenzo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the final. This marks the first time the Russian has reached the championship match in Montreal, and it is his sixth appearance in a Masters final. Rublev will now aim to capture his third Masters title.

The other finalist is Australia's Alexei Popyrin, who played two matches in a single day. First, he came from behind to beat the No. 4 seed and Poland's top player, Hubert Hurkacz, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 in the quarterfinals. Popyrin then defeated the Washington Open champion, American rising star Sebastian Korda, 7-6(0), 6-3 to reach his first ATP 1000 Masters Series final.

Rublev and Popyrin have faced each other twice before, with each player winning one match. Rublev narrowly won 7-6, 6-4 in the 2023 Vienna 500, while Popyrin successfully avenged his loss with two 6-4 sets in the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters. Their upcoming match will be the third meeting between the two. Given their head-to-head record and recent form, it appears to be a closely matched contest.

WTA 1000 Toronto: Pegula and Anisimova Set for All-American Final

In the WTA 1000 Toronto singles semi-finals, the two Americans secured their spots in the final. No. 3 seed and defending champion Jessica Pegula played consistently, defeating No. 14 seed and Russian rising star Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-3. Pegula advanced to the final of this tournament for the second consecutive year without dropping a set. She will face compatriot Amanda Anisimova for the championship.

Anisimova, currently ranked No. 132 in the world, defeated No. 8 seed Paula Badosa 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 in an all-American clash. This is the first time Anisimova has reached the final of a WTA 1000-level event. It is also her first appearance in a tour final since the beginning of 2022, marking her return to form after a significant break.

Pegula and Anisimova have met twice before, with Pegula winning both encounters. However, in their most recent match, Pegula had to come back from losing the first set to win in a thrilling final set tiebreak. Anisimova, having shown a resurgence in form, may have a chance for revenge in the final.