Popyrune, Act 2!

Since their extremely close match in 2023 in Rome, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge...

Indeed, Popy is having a difficult year, notably with a delicate start to the season following his injury, and has to defend a lot of points this season, including the 1000 here, which gives him both nervousness but also good motivation and good focus I think. As for Rune, well, he's Rune. You can leave him for a month, and everything will have changed 😅. There is of course his test with Andre Agassi. And I don't know if it's that or the conditions here in Toronto, but the Dane looks good! He will surely offer better opposition than Daniil to Popyrin. What I like about this matchup is already the quality of the Dane's return. Unlike Daniil, he stays close to his line and cuts angles. He is good in return, and it is an oh so important weapon against Popy. Then, there is his quality as a blocker in the exchange. What's more, I find him patient, diligent, and even creative. All the lights are green for him, and we know the level he can reach when he's like this. This match will be perfect to test his limits, I think, because on the other side, Popy is hungry. I think he'll play close to his best tennis in this match. He's on a mission, and every point is a match point. I'm extremely intrigued by this match, which I imagine will be quite close despite a matchup favorable to Holger...