Zverev Advances in the National Bank Open After Cerundolo’s Retirement
TORONTO – Alexander Zverev, top seed, managed to advance in the National Bank Open after Francisco Cerundolo retired due to an abdominal injury.
German Zverev was leading the match 6-4, 1-0 when the Argentinian, seeded number 14, was forced to retire from the match.
With this victory, Zverev will face the defending champion, Alexei Popyrin, in the quarterfinals.
Popyrin, who is the number 18 seed, secured his place in the next round after defeating Holger Rune, fifth seed, with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the first match of the night.
Zverev, champion in 2017 and currently ranked third in the world, became the tournament’s top seed due to the absences of Jannik Sinner, winner in 2023, and Carlos Alcaraz.
Other important players like Jack Draper and Novak Djokovic were also absent from the event.
In April, Zverev won his 24th title on clay, winning in Munich.
In other results of the day, Alex Michelsen reached the quarterfinals after defeating Learner Tien with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
Michelsen will face Karen Khachanov, eleventh seed, who defeated Casper Ruud, eighth seed, with a score of 6-4, 7-5.
