AAP Tennis

Aussie Popyrin bows out to big-serving Tirante

By AAP Newswire

Aug 8, 2026

Alexei Popyrin's dream run at the Canadian Open is over with the Australian sliding out of the ATP Masters 100O event at the hands of Thiago Agustin Tirante.Â

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Putting his booming serve to good use in Montreal, the Argentine hurled down nine aces in a 6-3 6-4 victory in the round of 32.

It ended the run by Popyrin, who was hoping to replicate his giantkilling success at the tournament in 2024 when he beat Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the final for his biggest ATP success.

Popyrin only made his way into the 2026 tournament by eliminating compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis in the final round of qualifying.

He then came from a set down to defeat Roman Andres Burruchaga 4-6 7-5 6-3 in the first round before upsetting No.32 seed Raphael Collignon 6-4-6-3.

But a spot in the last 16 proved a step too far for Popyrin, as the world No.65 brushed him aside in an hour and 16 minutes.

The Sydneysider failed to conjure up a single break point and was broken twice - once in each set - as Tirante set up a last-16 duel with American Learner Tien, a 6-3 6-2 winner over American Tommy Paul.

In some of the other matches, No.5 seed Ben Shelton advanced with a 6-3 6-2 win over Zizou Bergs while No.13 seed Jakub Mensik beat Terence Atmane 7-5 6-4.

Casper Ruud crashed out though, with the Norwegian No.9 seed beaten 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 by Brazilian Joao Fonseca.