Day 5 of the 2025 Canadian Open will showcase eight significant third-round men’s singles matches from the tournament’s top half, taking place in Toronto. This stage features prominent players including top seed Alexander Zverev, alongside other seeded contenders such as Lorenzo Musetti, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, and defending champion Alexei Popyrin. Among the compelling matchups is Emilio Nava’s challenge against Karen Khachanov, adding excitement to the day’s schedule.
Third-Round Showdown Between Emilio Nava and Karen Khachanov
American qualifier Emilio Nava is set to face eleventh seed Karen Khachanov in their first-ever meeting at the Canadian Open. Khachanov brings a strong 23-16 record in 2025, with highlights including semifinal appearances at the Barcelona Open and Terra Wortmann Open in Halle. After receiving a first-round bye, he opened his Canadian Open journey with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Juan Pablo Ficovich.
In contrast, Nava has primarily competed in Challenger tournaments this year, holding an impressive 44-20 win-loss record. He has secured three Challenger titles in Asunción, Concepción, and Sarasota. Nava’s path to the third round started with a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win in the qualifying rounds, followed by straight-set victories in the main draw against Zizou Bergs and Terence Atmane.
With Khachanov’s seeded status and experience in higher-level events, he is favored to advance in this contest.
Predicted winner- Karen Khachanov
Argentine Rivalry: Francisco Cerundolo vs. Tomas Martin Etcheverry
The Canadian Open will also feature an all-Argentine duel between fourteenth seed Francisco Cerundolo and Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Cerundolo has compiled a 30-17 record in 2025, with his best result being a runner-up finish in Buenos Aires. After a first-round bye, he edged Jaume Munar in three sets during the second round.
Etcheverry, competing across both ATP and Challenger events, owns an 18-25 record this season, with a semifinal appearance in Hamburg standing out. He kicked off his Canadian Open campaign with wins over French qualifier Pierre-Hughes Herbert and twenty-fourth seed Tallon Griekspoor.
Though Etcheverry leads the head-to-head series 2-1, Cerundolo claimed victory in their most recent encounter this year in Santiago. This recent win positions Cerundolo as the favorite to progress further.
Predicted winner- Francisco Cerundolo
All-American Match: Learner Tien Faces Reilly Opelka
Learner Tien and Reilly Opelka will meet in another intriguing third-round match. Tien, with a 22-18 record this season, has reached quarterfinals in Acapulco and Mallorca. At the Canadian Open, he secured wins over Colton Smith and home favorite Denis Shapovalov, the latter being a notable upset.
Opelka, who has a 26-19 record in 2025 and was runner-up at the Brisbane International, advanced by defeating Sebastian Ofner and sixteenth seed Tomas Machac in earlier rounds. Tien holds the edge in their head-to-head, having triumphed in their sole meeting at the Italian Open.
This head-to-head advantage, combined with his recent form, makes Tien the favorite in this clash.
Predicted winner- Learner Tien
Additional Noteworthy Performances on Day 5
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev and other seeded players like third seed Lorenzo Musetti, fifth seed Holger Rune, eighth seed Casper Ruud, tenth seed Daniil Medvedev, and eighteenth seed and defending champion Alexei Popyrin will also be in action. Their matches, while not detailed here, contribute to the strong competition on the men’s singles side as the tournament progresses toward the later stages.
Implications for the Canadian Open and Player Trajectories
The third round at this year’s Canadian Open promises intense competition, with rising stars like Emilio Nava aiming to upset established players such as Karen Khachanov. The outcome of these matchups will likely influence rankings and momentum heading into the quarterfinals. Notably, the success of qualifiers and lower-ranked players could signal breakthroughs that reshape the tournament’s narrative. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if these predictions hold and which players seize the opportunity to advance in Toronto’s prestigious event.