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Andrey Rublev Stuns Jannik Sinner in Canadian Open

Andrey Rublev defeated Jannik Sinner in the Canadian Open quarterfinals.

Pat Benson

Jannik Sinner and Andrey Rublev meet at the net.
Jannik Sinner and Andrey Rublev meet at the net. / David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

Rain and a lengthy weather delay could not slow Andrey Rublev down on Saturday night. Rublev defeated Jannik Sinner in three sets: 6-3, 1-6, 6-2.

Sinner entered the match as the top-seeded, defending champion and the World No. 1. Meanwhile, Rublev had earned a reputation as an incredibly talented player who let anger issues get the best of him on the court.

After the match, Rublev addressed the elephant in the room, "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."

A condensed schedule could have played a major factor in last night's match. Both players were in their second match of the day. Rublev defeated Brandon Nakashima, and Sinner beat Alejandro Tabilo earlier in the day.

During the final set, Sinner massaged the same right hip that has given him problems this year. It is on the latest moment of frustration for the budding superstar.

Sinner started the year off hot, winning the Australian Open and carrying that momentum into the spring. However, injuries and fatigue jumped on the 21-year-old as the summer rolled around.

Sinner battled dizziness during a loss to Daniil Medvedev in Wimbledon. Shortly after, he withdrew from the Swedish Open due to fatigue. Eventually, Sinner made the tough decision to miss the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Rublev is now the only man to beat both Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz this season. He will face Matteo Arnaldi in the Canadian Open semifinals later today. Meanwhile, Sinner will prepare for the Cincinnati Open before the US Open later this month.

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Further Reading: It's time for Coco Gauff to fire her coach after the Canadian Open.

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Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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