Popyrin vs Rublev set to light up Cincinnati’s Round of 32
Two big-hitting baseliners collide in the Cincinnati Open Round of 32 on Tuesday as Alexei Popyrin takes on Andrey Rublev. Both players arrived in Mason with momentum but uneven results lately, setting the stage for a tense hard-court duel on Court 3.
Popyrin, ranked No. 19, is riding a carryover of last year’s breakthrough: a straight-sets Masters 1000 title in Montreal that came over Rublev in the final. The Australian has shown flashes of elite form since, coming off a solid Toronto run that included wins over Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev before a three-set setback to Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals. Cincinnati has added to his confidence, as he pushed through a tight two-set win in the second round after a sharp start to the event.
Rublev, world No. 11, also started the week with a strong resume but ended up a notch shy of a deep run in Toronto, losing to Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals. This year’s form highlights a Doha title, a Hamburg runner-up finish, and another quarterfinal showing in Toronto, with deep showings at the mid-year Grand Slams as he reached the Round of 16 before bowing to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. In Cincinnati, Rublev recovered from a slow start in his second-round match to seal the win in straight sets, echoing the balanced momentum of his season.
Head-to-head history tips the scale slightly toward Popyrin. He leads Rublev 2-1, including a 6-2, 6-4 victory in last year’s Canadian Open final. Rublev’s lone win in their rivalry came in 2023 in Vienna. The contrasting styles—Popyrin’s aggressive, pace-controlling serves and Rublev’s relentlessBaseline pressure—promise a matchup where momentum can swing with a single service hold or a crucial return winner.
Prediction: Rublev in three sets. Popyrin has shown he can seize momentum against top-10 opponents, but Rublev’s higher-level baseline consistency, sharper decision-making under pressure, and ability to absorb pace should eventually carry him through a tight, closely contested clash.
How to watch: The Popyrin-Rublev match is scheduled for 11:00 AM Eastern on Court 3 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. It may air on Tennis Channel, including a streaming option via the Tennis Channel app and website. A separate Tennis Channel streaming channel (T2) is also available, with Amazon Prime Video offering access to that channel.
Key factors to watch
– Popyrin’s serve: quick first-serve percentage and ability to back up holds when Rublev ramps up the pressure.
– Rublev’s return game: his aggressive returns and pace on second serves could disrupt Popyrin’s rhythm.
– Court mix: hard courts in Cincinnati can reward heavy hitters who can redirect pace; anticipation and movement will decide critical points late in the sets.
– Momentum swings: both players took a handful of tight first-set tiebreaks in recent rounds; who closes out the opener first could set the tone for the match.
Overall, fans can expect a high-energy, serve-and-forehand battleground with plenty of clean winners and high-stakes rallies as they push toward the Round of 16. Expect Rublev to lean on his steadier shot selection and fitness edge to edge out a 3-set win, while Popyrin will be eyeing another upset bid if he can land the right blend of aggression and precision.