Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin delivered a career-defining performance on Monday, defeating world No. 6 Andrey Rublev to win the ATP Montreal Masters, marking the biggest title of his career. Popyrin, ranked 62nd in the world, secured a 6-2, 6-4 victory in just 90 minutes, showcasing his mental toughness and composure in a match that saw Rublev struggle with his own emotions.
Reflecting on his achievement, Popyrin, who celebrated his 25th birthday last week, described the win as “one of the best matches I’ve played in my life.” He emphasized that his pride stemmed not only from the final but from his consistent level of play throughout the tournament. “It’s more the way I played all week,” he added.
Popyrin’s victory in Montreal makes him the first Australian to win a Masters 1000 title since Lleyton Hewitt’s triumph at Indian Wells in 2003. He joins an elite group of Australians who have won at this level, including Patrick Rafter, Mark Philippoussis, and Hewitt.
The Australian’s path to victory was not easy, as he faced and defeated five top-20 opponents on his way to the title. Despite the high stakes, Popyrin maintained his composure throughout the tournament. “I felt pretty calm. I love to play matches like this. There is no point in being nervous or afraid of the opportunity,” he said. His game plan was clear from the start, as he aimed to impose himself early, a strategy that effectively unsettled Rublev.
Rublev, who has been open about his struggles with mental stress and emotional outbursts on the court, had a difficult time maintaining his composure during the final. After a strong showing earlier in the tournament, including a victory over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, Rublev’s form faltered against an inspired Popyrin. Frustration got the better of Rublev, who was seen screaming, kicking a towel container, and struggling in tight moments.
Despite the loss, Rublev acknowledged progress in managing his emotions, noting that he had been handling stress better than in previous matches. “A month ago I was (mis)behaving much more. I showed emotions today but compared to other matches I did a better job,” Rublev reflected, adding that the week had been a “big step forward.”
Popyrin’s dominance was evident from the start, as he quickly took control of the match, winning seven of the first eight points. Rublev’s temper began to fray early, leading to multiple breaks of serve and a swift loss of the first set. The Russian tried to rally in the second set, even calling for medical assistance, but Popyrin’s relentless pressure and focus carried him through to a straight-sets victory.
The win was particularly sweet for Popyrin, who expressed a small regret that his girlfriend was not present to share in his triumph. “This is one of the few weeks where my girlfriend isn’t traveling with me… and I win the tournament,” he joked, before adding, “I hope she comes to New York now,” hinting at the upcoming US Open.
Popyrin’s victory in Montreal cements his status as a rising star in tennis, and with his confidence and form peaking, he will be one to watch in the upcoming Grand Slam tournaments.