Alex Michelsen defeats No. 3 seed Lorenzo Musetti at the National Bank Open in Toronto, while Coco Gauff advances to the fourth round in Montreal.
Michelsen Secures Major Upset in Toronto
American tennis rising star Alex Michelsen pulled off a significant upset on Thursday, July 31, 2025, by defeating third-seeded Lorenzo Musetti of Italy at the National Bank Open in Toronto. The 19-year-old Michelsen, seeded 26th in the tournament, battled through a three-set thriller, ultimately triumphing 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to earn a place in the round of 16.
The hard-fought victory marks one of the biggest wins in Michelsen’s young career, highlighting his growing presence on the ATP Tour. The match, held at Sobeys Stadium, drew a sizable crowd, many of whom were stunned by the American’s composure and strategic play against the more seasoned Musetti.
Diallo Remains Canada’s Sole Hope in Men’s Singles
As local favourites fell early, Montreal native Gabriel Diallo stands as the last Canadian contender in men’s singles in Toronto. Diallo is set to face second seed Taylor Fritz of the U.S. in the third round on Friday. Earlier in the day, Diallo partnered with Alexis Galarneau of Laval, Quebec, for a doubles match against Michelsen and fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
This matchup is particularly significant for Canadian fans, as Diallo continues to gain momentum and national attention after a strong 2024 season.
Top Seeds Khachanov and Cerundolo Also Advance
Other notable results from Thursday’s men’s draw include wins by 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov of Russia and 14th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina. Khachanov overcame American Emilio Nava in a tense battle, winning 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1. Cerundolo dispatched fellow Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
The results signal a strong showing from the mid-seeded players, who continue to pose threats to higher-ranked opponents as the tournament progresses.
Gauff Pushes Through in Montreal Despite Serving Struggles
On the women’s side in Montreal, world No. 2 and top seed Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round after defeating Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Despite an ongoing issue with double faults—14 in this match and 23 in her previous win over Danielle Collins—Gauff showcased resilience and athletic dominance, especially in the final set.
With Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal due to fatigue, Gauff remains the frontrunner in the women’s draw. Her performance continues to reflect both her youth and promise, as she adapts under pressure on centre court.
Canadian Mboko Carries National Hopes in Women’s Draw
Toronto’s 18-year-old Victoria Mboko is the only Canadian left in the women’s singles competition. She was scheduled to play Czechia’s Marie Bouzkova later Thursday in what fans hoped would be a turning point for Canadian representation in Montreal.
As the National Bank Open moves into the later rounds, Canadian supporters are rallying behind homegrown talent while international stars provide world-class competition across both cities.
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