Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Medvedev to end Popyrin's title defence

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Thu. 31 Jul. 2025 01:09

Andrew Hendrie 31 Jul. 2025

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Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin predictions for Thursday's ATP Toronto R3 match
Medvedev has won four of the five previous meetings between the pair
Medvedev beat Popyrin 6-4 6-1 in their most-recent clash in Rome earlier this season
Popyrin is 13-16 for the year & under big pressure to defend his Canada Masters title
The match is scheduled to start around 11.00am AEST on Friday August 1

Expired

Daniil Medvedev (Photo by Getty Images)

Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

It's do or die for Alexei Popyrin as he puts his Canada Masters title defence on the line against former champion Daniil Medvedev in the third round in Toronto on Thursday night.

Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Head To Head
Daniil Medvedev Form
Alexei Popyrin Form
Live Stream

Popyrin came from nowhere to secure his maiden Masters 1000 title in Montreal last year, defeating six top 20 players on the bounce and taking advantage of a somewhat depleted field due to the Olympics. The Aussie surged into the top 30 as a result, but unfortunately, he's been unable to build on that result over the last 12 months and now faces dropping out the top 50 if he loses this match. It's been a tough year for Popyrin - he's suffered nine opening round defeats and is No. 54 in the live ATP Race, which is a better indication of current form.

Of course Medvedev has been struggling too, but I feel like it's only a matter of time until the Russian rediscovers his mojo and what better time than on these North American hardcourts, where he's enjoyed so much success in the past. Medvedev is a former Canada Masters and US Open champion and should relish playing the defending champion under the lights in prime time. Medvedev throttled Popyrin on his least preferred surface of clay earlier this season and I'm backing him in for another straight sets victory in Toronto.

Head To Head

Medvedev has won four of the five previous meetings between the pair, including a 6-4 6-1 beatdown in Rome earlier this year. Popyrin's lone win came in a deciding set tiebreak at the Paris Masters at the end of 2024.

Daniil Medvedev Form

It's been a difficult last couple of years for Medvedev - he hasn't won a title since 2023 and he's fallen to No. 14 in the world after registering a 26-15 record so far in 2025.

Normally so tough to beat, Medvedev has been shocking at the slams this season, suffering a second round exit at the Australian Open to Learner Tien before opening round exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon to Cameron Norrie and Benjamin Bonzi respectively.

The Wimbledon loss was especially disappointing given Medvedev beat Alexander Zverev on his way to the Halle final just prior, but building momentum has become an issue for the former World No. 1 and US Open champion.

Medvedev took home the Canada Masters title back in 2021 and has a 14-6 record at the tournament, overcoming lucky loser Dalibor Svrcina 7-6 6-4 in his opening match.

Alexei Popyrin Form

Popyrin has registered a poor 13-16 record so far this season and as mentioned, faces a big rankings drop to outside the top 50 if he fails to win this match and replicate his stunning run to the Canada Masters title 12 months ago.

The Aussie conquered six top 20 players on the bounce and capped it off with a straight sets demolition of Andrey Rublev in the final to capture his first Masters 1000 title. Not long after, Popyrin stunned Novak Djokovic on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open.

However, Popyrin hasn't been able to sustain that level and the necessary consistency to continue his rankings climb and now he's under immense pressure to perform in his title defence.

Popyrin has been eliminated in the opening round in nine events so far in 2025, including at Wimbledon to wildcard Arthur Fery and last week in Washington to Yibing Wu. The 25-year-old avoided another opening exit when he defeated teenage wildcard Nicolas Arseneault 7-6 6-3.

Live Stream

Watch and bet on Daniil Medvedev vs Alexei Popyrin live Canada Masters tennis from Toronto.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > ATP Toronto with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Daniil Medvedev v Alexei Popyrin

Popyrin is under huge pressure to defend his ranking and has been well below his best all year.

If ever there was a time for Medvedev to restore some confidence in a big match, it's now - backing the former World No. 1 to get this done in straights.

Medvedev 2-0

Set Betting

$1.87 - 2 Units

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