Australia’s Alexei Popyrin claimed the biggest singles title of his career at the National Bank Open in Montreal, defeating fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. The victory marked a significant milestone for the 62nd-ranked player, as he navigated a challenging draw, overcoming five top-20 opponents consecutively.
Popyrin’s path to victory began with a win over No. 11 seed Ben Shelton in the second round, followed by an impressive comeback against No. 7 seed Grigor Dimitrov, where he saved three match points. In the quarterfinals, Popyrin faced No. 4 seed Hubert Hurkacz, rallying from a set down to triumph 7-5 in the deciding set. He continued his remarkable run by defeating American Sebastian Korda, who entered the semifinals on a nine-match winning streak after securing victory in Washington, D.C.
In the final, Popyrin faced Rublev, who was aiming for his third ATP Masters 1000 title and his first on hard courts. Despite Rublev’s ambitions, Popyrin showcased exceptional tennis, starting the match with a dominant seven-point streak and maintaining his momentum throughout. Rublev, who trains with Popyrin in Monte Carlo, struggled to find answers against his determined opponent.
The win propelled Popyrin up the rankings from No. 62 to No. 23, marking a significant leap in his career. Reflecting on his achievement, Popyrin expressed confidence in his ability, stating, “I played a really, really high level of tennis, which I believed I could play my whole life.” His calm and composed demeanor on the court starkly contrasted with his previous reputation for on-court temper, indicating his growth as a player.
Meanwhile, Rublev, who will rise from No. 8 to No. 6 in the rankings, acknowledged his improvement in handling emotions during matches. Despite his loss, Rublev expressed satisfaction with his progress, noting, “Yes, I still showed a bit of emotions today, but compared to the matches when I was losing the same way, I think I did a much better job.”
Popyrin’s victory at the National Bank Open highlights his remarkable journey through a challenging tournament, demonstrating his potential to compete at the highest level of the sport.
