Daniil Medvedev vs. Alexei Popyrin: Where to Watch, Toronto Preview

These two have had their battles. Last season on indoor hard courts in Bercy, Medvedev won 7-6 in the third set. More memorably, in 2021 the Russian cramped to the point where he could barely put one foot in front of the other, yet somehow found his way past the Australian, 6-4 in the third. Alas, their lone meeting this year, a 6-4, 6-1 win for Medvedev in Rome, wasn’t nearly as dramatic as that.

As far as their 2025s go, Medvedev and Popyrin have been in similar boats: i.e., they’ve both been disappointing. Medvedev hasn’t won a title, is 1-3 at the Slams, and is out of the Top 10 for the first time since 2018. Popyrin, after breaking through to win a Masters 1000 in Montreal last summer, has dropped back into relative obscurity. He’s 12-16 on the year, and 3-2 at the majors.

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In theory, coming to Canada should make both of them feel a little better. Medvedev won the title here in 2021, and Popyrin in 2024. Neither looked amazing in their first-round wins over much lower-ranked players, but we know these guys have top-tier potential. Popyrin has a serve and a forehand that can knock down any opponent, and Medvedev is a former No. 1 who, despite his recent results, has yet to start sounding like a beaten man.

It will be interesting to see who can overcome his recent form by enough to win—one of them has to. Winner: Medvedev