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This match took place on August 12, 2025 Click here for commentator listings for todays matches. |
Cincinnati ATP 1000 2025: Who's Commentating on Alexei Popyrin vs Andrey Rublev and Where to Watch
The highly anticipated Round of 32 match between Alexei Popyrin and Andrey Rublev goes live on 12 August 2025 at 16:00 UK time (15:00 UTC) at Court 3 in Cincinnati, USA. This ATP Masters 1000 event promises an exciting clash as the Australian World No. 19 takes on the Russian World No. 11. Tennis fans in the UK, the US, Australia, and Malaysia have several broadcast options with expert commentary teams to enhance the viewing experience.
Watching the Match: UK, US, Australia, and Malaysia Broadcasts
In the United Kingdom, the match can be watched on Sky Sports Tennis, one of the most popular channels for tennis coverage. The broadcast features presenter Gigi Salmon, a respected voice in tennis with extensive experience covering major tournaments including Wimbledon and the ATP Tour. She is joined by main commentator Pete Odgers and co-commentator Ryan Harrison. Pete Odgers is a seasoned tennis commentator known for his insightful play-by-play narration, while Ryan Harrison brings a former professional player’s perspective, having been ranked inside the ATP top 40 during his career.
For Malaysian viewers, the match airs on BeIN Sports 2 Malaysia with the World Feed commentary. This means the commentary team will be led by former British player Naomi Cavaday and ex-Scottish doubles specialist Colin Fleming. Naomi, now a respected broadcaster, transitioned smoothly from her professional career to commentary, often praised for her tactical insights. Colin Fleming has a wealth of knowledge from his time on the doubles circuit, adding depth to analysis, particularly on net play and strategy.
Other international coverage includes Supersport Tennis (commonly watched in Africa), Tennis TV (the official ATP streaming service popular across many countries), and Canadian channels TSN 3 and TSN+. All these are using the World Feed commentary team featuring Cavaday and Fleming, ensuring a consistent and expert analysis worldwide.
Match Context and Player Insights
The match-up is evenly matched with a slight edge currently on paper to the Russian, with bookmakers favouring Rublev slightly. However, the head-to-head record sees Australian Alexei Popyrin leading 2-1 from three encounters. Their last meetings spanned major tournaments including Monte Carlo and Montreal where Popyrin took the victories in 2024, while Rublev won their 2023 clash in Vienna. Both players are strong on hard courts, with Rublev ranked higher at No. 11 versus Popyrin’s No. 19, but Popyrin has shown resilience, most notably overcoming Martin Landaluce in the Cincinnati second round in a tightly contested two-set match.
Popyrin’s form on hard courts this season shows some inconsistency with 6 wins and 8 losses, his serve reliability being a concern highlighted in recent matches where his first serve percentage dipped below ideal levels. Meanwhile, Rublev is considered one of the powerful and consistent players in the ATP top 15, known for his aggressive baseline play and endurance on hard surfaces.
With this being part of the ATP Masters 1000 circuit, the stakes are high as players chase valuable ranking points and prize money ahead of the US Open. Both athletes will be eager to progress to the later rounds of this prestigious event.
About the Commentators and Presenters
Name | Role | Background |
---|---|---|
Gigi Salmon | Presenter (Sky Sports Tennis) | Experienced British tennis broadcaster, regularly hosting major ATP and Grand Slam coverage with a calm and knowledgeable style. |
Pete Odgers | Main Commentator (Sky Sports Tennis) | Well-established tennis commentator known for precise play-by-play narration and deep knowledge of the ATP Tour. |
Ryan Harrison | Co-commentator (Sky Sports Tennis) | Former ATP top 40 player offering expert analysis and insider perspectives on players’ tactics and mindset. |
Naomi Cavaday | Main Commentator (World Feed, BeIN Sports 2, Supersport Tennis, Tennis TV, TSN) | Former British professional player turned respected commentator, known for tactical insights and clear delivery. |
Colin Fleming | Co-commentator (World Feed) | Ex-Scottish doubles specialist who brings valuable doubles expertise and strategic depth to commentary. |
Each broadcast team combines experience from former professional tennis careers and dedicated broadcasting, enriching viewers’ understanding of this high-stakes match.
Where to Find More Information
- Visit the ATP Cincinnati Tournament Page for schedules, player stats, and live scores.
- For background on Alexei Popyrin, including career highlights and recent performance.
- Learn more about Andrey Rublev and his ATP journey and playing style.