(No. 11) Karen Khachanov def. (No. 26) Alex Michelsen 6-4, 7-6 (3)
Karen Khachanov advanced to the National Bank Open semifinals for the third time in his career with a straight-sets win over Alex Michelsen on Monday night. The 28-year-old Russian previously reached the semifinals at the Canadian ATP Masters 1000 event in 2018 and 2019, becoming just the seventh man this century to make three or more semifinal appearances at the tournament.
The second set saw both players saving 0/40 situations on serve. Khachanov faced two set points at 4–5 but responded with clutch serving before taking control of the tiebreak, winning the final five points with a mix of aggression and steadiness. He saved 6 of 7 break points and dominated on his first serve, winning 85% (40 of 47) of those points.
Khachanov will face top seed Alexander Zverev in Wednesday night’s semifinal.
(No. 1) Alexander Zverev def. (No. 18) Alexei Popyrin 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-3
Top seed Alexander Zverev rallied from a set down to defeat defending champion Alexei Popyrin and book his place in the semifinals on Monday night.
Despite squandering two set points in a tight opening-set tiebreak, Zverev quickly bounced back. He jumped out to early 3–0 leads in both the second and third sets and maintained his level through the finish. The German won 82% of his first-serve points and closed out the match with a drop-volley winner, winning 16 of his final 17 service points.
Zverev will now face Karen Khachanov for a place in the final.
(No. 4) Ben Shelton def. (No. 9) Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4
Fourth seed Ben Shelton powered past No. 9 seed Alex de Minaur in straight sets to reach his first career semifinal at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Shelton was dominant behind his serve, firing 13 aces and using his heavy forehand to dictate play from the baseline. He tallied 8 forehand winners and capitalized on 28 unforced errors from De Minaur. Shelton also edged his opponent in baseline points (32–29) and held a 12–7 advantage in rallies lasting nine or more shots.
Shelton will meet fellow American Taylor Fritz in a highly anticipated semifinal—just the fourth all-American ATP Masters 1000 semifinal since 2000.
(No. 2) Taylor Fritz def. (No. 6) Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (4)
Second seed Taylor Fritz defeated sixth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets to secure his place in the National Bank Open semifinals. With the win, Fritz became the first American to reach the semifinals at all nine current ATP Masters 1000 events.
Fritz was dominant on serve, tallying nine aces in the opening set and 20 total—tying his personal best in a three-set match. He won 79% of points on his first serve and 64% on his second.
Fritz will now face Ben Shelton in an all-American semifinal matchup.
