Mackenzie McDonald stuns Rublev in Toronto, makes last 16
Mackenzie McDonald beat Andrey Rublev 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday evening. He’ll face the winner of the match between Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel and Canadian wildcard Milos Raonic in the next round
(Action Plus/Panoramic)
American Mackenzie McDonald powered past sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev, 6-4, 6-3, on Wednesday at the Aviva Centre in Toronto to reach the round of 16.
McDonald, ranked No 59, earns his fourth career top 10 win – three have come this season.
The American improves to 2-1 lifetime against Rublev, as he achieves a relatively uncomplicated victory in one hour and 26 minutes. He saved both break points he faced and converted three breaks from seven opportunities.
“I think playing Andrey, I feel like I can handle pace pretty well,” McDonald said. “He hammers the ball, especially with his forehand, and I like to do the same. So I was able to manage that. … for me it was more about placing the ball, maybe to the backhand corner – obviously he has a massive forehand so you don’t want to just funnel it there.”
Magnificent Mackie 🌟
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2023
The American takes down no. 6 seed Rublev in straight sets to reach R3!#NBO23 pic.twitter.com/a5d2eeVHPA
The former NCAA champion at UCLA will play the winner of the match between Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel and Canadian wildcard Milos Raonic next.
The loss marks Rublev’s first match on hard court since Miami – he drops to 13-9 overall on the surface in 2023. Rublev played clay court events at Bastad (won title) and Hamburg (lost in round of 16) after Wimbledon.
The American won against Russian Aslan Karatsev (6-3, 6-4) in the previous round of the Canadian Open.
Toronto Masters, other second-round results (Aviva Centre, hard, USD 6.600.000, most recent results first):
- Marcos Giron vs. Holger Rune
- Carlos Alcaraz vs. Ben Shelton
- Sebastian Korda vs. Aleksandar Vukic
- Tommy Paul vs. Francisco Cerundolo
- Max Purcell vs. Andy Murray
- Matteo Berrettini vs. Jannik Sinner
- Gabriel Diallo vs. Alex De Minaur
- Alexander Zverev vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Gael Monfils
- Matteo Arnaldi vs. Daniil Medvedev
- Lorenzo Musetti vs. Thanasi Kokkinakis
- Miomir Kecmanovic vs. Hubert Hurkacz
- Taro Daniel vs. Milos Raonic: wednesday
- Taylor Fritz vs. Ugo Humbert: wednesday
- Casper Ruud (3) beat Jiri Lehecka: 7-6 (6), 6-4
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