An all-Australian affair in qualifying
Montreal holds a special place for Alexei Popyrin at the ATP Masters 1000 event National Bank Open: in 2024, the Australian claimed the biggest title of his career here, becoming the first Australian Masters 1000 champion since Lleyton Hewitt at Indian Wells in 2003. Two years on, the circumstances could hardly be more different. A dip in form that brought five consecutive defeats sent Popyrin's world ranking tumbling from 54 at the start of the season to 103, forcing him into qualifying. Waiting for him in the opening round was a compatriot: Thanasi Kokkinakis, who is only gradually working his way back on tour after major pectoral surgery in February 2025 and is currently ranked around 855 in the ATP standings.
The all-Australian encounter promised plenty of intrigue — two players who both know what their best tennis looks like, yet who found themselves in the qualifying draw for very different reasons. For Popyrin it was a test of character; for Kokkinakis, an important step on the long road back to the tour.
Popyrin dominates on serve — takes the first set comfortably
In the opening set Popyrin wasted no time reminding everyone why he was able to put on such a dominant display in Montreal back in 2024. His serve was the foundation: a 62-percent first-serve percentage combined with winning 92 percent of first-serve points gave him an unshakeable platform. He did not face a single break point on his own serve — his service games won rate remained a perfect 100 percent throughout the match. He also made the most of his own opportunities, converting 50 percent of his break points to close out the first set 6-4.
Kokkinakis showed some solid serving of his own — seven aces and an 83-percent win rate on first serve — but could generate almost no pressure on return. He won just 18 percent of return points, far too little to mount any real resistance.
Retirement in the second set brings an early end to the contest
The second set was more evenly contested before play was halted. With the score standing at 3-2 in Popyrin's favour, Kokkinakis ended the match by retirement. The exact reason was not disclosed, though given his lengthy injury history, physical wear cannot be ruled out as a factor.
The statistics reflect a match that Popyrin had firmly under control for as long as it lasted. He won 54 percent of all points, struck seven aces and held every service game. Kokkinakis, by contrast, converted none of his break points and won just 29 percent of return points.
Outlook: Popyrin on the road back
With this qualifying win, Popyrin has made a first statement on his way back to the upper echelons of the game. The path into the main draw of the tournament where he triumphed in 2024 is still a long one — but the opening step has been taken. Kokkinakis, meanwhile, must continue to rebuild patiently in the wake of his operation.
