TOP-SEEDED Alexander Zverev reached a major milestone on Thursday night (Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, PH time) at the National Bank Open, securing his 500th career match victory with a hard-fought 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2 win over Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi.
The 28-year-old German, a 2017 champion of the tournament, is the first ATP Tour player born in 1990 or later to achieve this impressive feat.
Zverev, ranked third in the world, reflected on the match, stating, “The longer the match went on, I started to find my rhythm a bit.” Despite a shaky start with his backhand, he found his form from the baseline and improved as the match progressed.
He now advances to face No. 14 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, who defeated his countryman Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 6-4.
Zverev became the top seed for the hard-court event after several high-profile players, including top-ranked Jannik Sinner, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, No. 5 Jack Draper, and No. 6 Novak Djokovic, withdrew from the tournament.
In the women’s draw, top-seeded Coco Gauff battled through another challenging match, overcoming 14 double-faults to defeat Veronika Kudermetova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Just two days after hitting 23 double-faults in her previous match, Gauff once again rallied from a set and a break down to reach the round of 16.
“I thought I did well mentally,” Gauff said, acknowledging the need to improve her serve but expressing satisfaction with her ability to win despite the struggles.
Ranked No. 2 in the world, Gauff is looking to regain momentum after early exits in her last two tournaments following her French Open victory. She stated that winning these matches while a key part of her game is “on a crutch” gives her confidence.
Gauff will now face 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko, who thrilled the home crowd with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 comeback victory against Marie Bouzkova. Mboko is the last remaining Canadian in }the tournament.
In another men’s match, American Alex Michelsen caused a significant upset by defeating third-seeded Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4. He will now play fellow American Learner Tien, who beat Reilly Opelka 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Fifth-seeded Holger Rune of Denmark also moved on with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Alexandre Muller and will face defending champion Alexei Popyrin, who pulled off a late-night upset against 10th-seeded Daniil Medvedev in a three-set thriller.
Eighth-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway defeated Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-4 and will play 11th-seeded Karen Khachanov.
Over on the women’s side, American McCartney Kessler upset fourth-seeded Mirra Andreeva 7-6 (5), 6-4. She will next play Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.
Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine knocked out eighth-seeded Emma Navarro 7-5, 6-4 and will face ninth-seeded Elena Rybakina. Tenth-seeded Elina Svitolina beat Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-2. / FROM THE WIRES