MONTREAL (AP) — Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev defeated Matteo Arnaldi 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals of the National Bank Open on Sunday after waiting out a rain break early in the second set.
Rublev, the 26-year-old Russian with victories this year in Madrid and Hong Kong, will face Alexei Popyrin of Australia in the final. Popyrin defeated American Sebastian Korda 7-6 (0), 6-3.
“It was worth the wait,” Rublev said of the 1 hour and 40 minute delay with the score tied at 1-1 in the second set. “I’m happy to be in my first Canadian final. I just want to recover, get a good rest and be ready for tomorrow.”
On Saturday he beat top seed Jannik Sinner.
Italian Arnaldi reached his first semi-final at Masters 1000 level.
Early Sunday, Popyrin beat fourth-seeded Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the quarterfinals, while Korda – last week’s winner in Washington – beat second-seeded Alexander Zverev 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-4.
Popyrin caught up and defeated Hurkacz after being just two points away from defeat, then eliminated Korda in the first set tiebreaker.
“To be honest, this is an incredible achievement for me and sometimes you have to pat yourself on the back,” said Popyrin about reaching the final. “I will do it tonight, but tomorrow it’s all hands on deck and back to work.”
Rain canceled play Thursday night and all day Friday as remnants of Tropical Storm Debby passed through, pushing the event behind schedule.
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