Popyrin wins maiden Masters 1000 title in Montreal

Alexei Popyrin beat world number six Andrey Rublev in the final of the Canadian Open on Monday to claim his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal.

Popyrin, 25, is the first Australian since former world number one Lleyton Hewitt at Indian Wells 21 years ago to lift a Masters 1000 trophy.

He defeated Rublev 6-2 6-4 in 90 minutes, denying the Russian his second Masters title of the season after winning the Madrid Open in May.

In the women’s tournament in Toronto, defending champion Jessica Pegula defeated fellow American Amanda Anisimova 6-3 2-6 6-1.

It was a surprise victory for Popyrin, who entered the tournament ranked 62nd and beat five top-20 opponents during his run to the final.

“This means so much, it means the world,” he said. “All the hard work we’ve put in over the last couple of years has paid off.

“Everyone around me has sacrificed so much of their lives for me. For me to win this for them is amazing.”

An emotional Popyrin, who also played at the Paris Olympics, wrote “What just happened!” on the TV camera lens after his stunning win.

Rublev scored a deserving a victory against world number one Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals but against Popyrin, the 26-year-old boiled over several times during the match, screaming at his errors and kicking a towel holder.

Meanwhile, Pegula overcame Anisimova in one hour and 27 minutes to secure her third WTA 1000 trophy.

The 30-year-old world number six is the first woman to win consecutive Canadian Open titles since five-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis in 1999-2000.

“I know everyone’s talking about my record and all this stuff, but it’s nice to be able to get through the week and to back it up,” Pegula said.

“So, just super excited, I mean, an honour, really.”