Andrey Rublev rolls over depleted Jannik Sinner in Montreal Masters upset

MONTREAL – Andrey Rublev defeated a world No. 1 for the second time in his career as he stopped Jannik Sinner 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 on Aug 10 to reach the semi-finals of the ATP Montreal Masters.

The fifth seed caught the Italian at the right moment, with Sinner appearing low on energy in the final set and frequently flexing his right hip.

It was the second match of the day for both Sinner and Rublev as organisers made up for a rained-off Aug 9.

The Italian top seed played this week for the first time since Wimbledon, where he fell ill and exited in the quarter-finals before missing the Paris Olympics with tonsillitis.

Rublev credited a quick snack from his trainer for reviving him during a 30-minute rain interruption after winning the opening set.

“Maybe my sugar levels were low, but my trainer gave me a sugar bar. I ate it and one game later I was perfect again,” said the Russian.

“I played really well, I’m happy to win. Jannik is an amazing player. He has been playing unbelievable the past two years.

“I was hoping to fight him and show some great tennis.”

Sinner’s form took a dive in the deciding set, which he lost on a double fault after saving two Rublev match points.

Rublev owns two wins over No. 1 players against four defeats. He also beat top-ranked Novak Djokovic at Belgrade in 2022. Next up for him is a semi-final against Matteo Arnaldi.

Sinner started his day with a 6-4, 6-3 third-round victory over Canadian-born Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, advancing in 80 minutes at the tournament, which ends on Aug 12 due to Paris Olympic scheduling.

Rublev had earlier defeated American Brandon Nakashima 6-2, 6-2 in a third-round match.

Hubert Hurkacz will face Alexei Popyrin, while second seed Alexander Zverev is up against Sebastian Korda in the remaining quarter-finals on Aug 11, both of which took place after press time.

In Toronto, American Amanda Anisimova upset two-time reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-2 on Aug 10 to reach the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 event.

Anisimova, into her first WTA 1000 semi-final, advanced to an Aug 11 showdown against the United States’ eighth seed Emma Navarro, who eliminated compatriot Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).

Anisimova, 22, will try to reach her fourth career WTA final and first since winning the 2022 Melbourne Summer Set 2.

She also won at Bogota in 2019 after losing her first career WTA final at the 2018 Japan Open.

World No. 15 Navarro, 23, won her only previous WTA final in January at Hobart.

“She’s a player who is definitely on fire right now. She’s playing some great tennis,” Anisimova said of Navarro.

“I’m sure it will be a tough match.”

Third-seeded defending champion Jessica Pegula also advanced by eliminating fellow American Peyton Stearns 6-4, 7-5.

“I just reminded myself of what I needed to focus on,” Pegula said. “Even though it was 5-2, I knew there was always still a chance I could come back, especially having break points earlier on in the set as well and that seemed to work for me.”

Pegula reached her fourth consecutive Canadian Masters semi-final, matching Gabriela Sabatini and Simona Halep. She is one off the record held by Monica Seles.

She will next face Russian 14th seed Diana Shnaider, who upset sixth-seeded compatriot Liudmila Samsonova 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Both last-four matches took place after press time. AFP