Montreal Masters: Rublev beats defending champion Sinner to reach the semi-finals

Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 5 seed, advanced to the last four of the Montreal Masters by winning against Italian Jannik Sinner, the top seed, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 at Stade IGA on Sunday night.

“It was a really great match of mine. I was playing really well today and I’m happy that I was able to win,” Rublev said. “I don’t know, not much to say, because I still for the moment… really I don’t understand what’s happening, because Jannik is an amazing player and he’s playing unbelievable for the past two years. I was just hoping that I would be able to fight with him, to show great tennis. In the end, I think we had a lot of great rallies, a lot of long rallies.”

“To be able to win this kind of match, of course it’s always special, and of course I needed those matches, especially after some bad moments this year. So of course I’m happy.” 

Jannik Sinner seemed to struggle with a right-hip injury throughout the match, but didn’t call the trainer.

Rublev, ranked No 8, will face the winner of the match between Italian Matteo Arnaldi and Japanese Kei Nishikori next.

The Russian beat Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry (7-6 (3), 6-2) and American qualifier Brandon Nakashima (6-2, 6-2) ahead of his victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Sinner, ranked No 1, won against Croat qualifier Borna Coric (6-2, 6-4) and Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, the No 15 seed (6-4, 6-3).

Montreal Masters 1000, other quarter-finals results (Stade IGA, hard, USD 6.795.555, most recent results first):

• Sebastian Korda vs. Alexander Zverev
• Alexei Popyrin vs. Hubert Hurkacz
• Matteo Arnaldi vs. Kei Nishikori