Jannik Sinner was defeated by Andrey Rublev in the Canadian Open quarter-finals after a lengthy Saturday in Montreal

The hopes of Jannik Sinner for a Canadian Open title defence were dashed as he was knocked out by fifth seed Andrey Rublev in a rain-delayed quarter-final in Montreal. Rublev withstood a second-set collapse to secure a 6-3 1-6 6-2 victory over the world No 1, displaying resilience and skill in the face of a determined opponent.

The match saw a gripping battle as the Russian overpowered the defending champion in the early stages to claim the first set, only to face a halt in momentum due to a half-hour rain delay. Sinner seized the opportunity to strike back after the break, clinching the second set without conceding a single break point. However, Rublev turned the tables in the third set, displaying remarkable composure in repelling five break point opportunities and opening up a 3-0 lead.

Ultimately, Rublev maintained his advantage to claim the third set, securing his spot in the semi-finals. This marked his second victory of the day, having previously dispatched American qualifier Brandon Nakashima in straight sets.

Sinner’s journey in the Canadian Open had been eventful, having played twice during a marathon Saturday, where he emerged victorious against Alejandro Tabilo of Chile. This was a result of Tropical Storm Debby postponing all matches on Friday, leaving the tournament behind schedule heading into the weekend.

Moving forward, Rublev is set to face Sinner’s compatriot, Matteo Arnaldi, for a spot in the final. Arnaldi secured his place in the semi-finals by outclassing Japan’s Kei Nishikori with a score of 6-4 7-5, showcasing his strength and determination on the court.

Meanwhile, the other two quarter-finals were postponed to Sunday, with second-seeded Alexander Zverev scheduled to face Sebastian Korda, and fourth-seeded Hubert Hurkacz set to play Alexei Popyrin. Zverev’s victory over 13th-seeded Holger Rune and Korda’s successful match against Taylor Fritz had set the stage for these exciting upcoming clashes, promising thrilling tennis action for fans around the world.