Popyrin Secures First Masters 1000 Title for Australia in Two Decades

In a remarkable achievement, Alexei Popyrin has become the first Australian in over two decades to win an ATP Masters 1000 title, triumphing over world No. 6 Andrey Rublev in the final of the Canadian Open. The 25-year-old secured a decisive victory with a score of 6-2, 6-4 in just 90 minutes, marking the third and most significant title of his career. This victory also ends a 21-year drought for Australia in Masters 1000 events, with Lleyton Hewitt being the last to win at Indian Wells in 2002. Popyrin, who entered the tournament ranked 62nd in the world, showcased his talent by defeating five top 20 players, including Hubert Hurkacz, Ben Shelton, and Grigor Dimitrov, on his path to the final. His impressive performance has propelled him to a new ranking of No. 23, ensuring he will receive his first-ever grand slam seeding at the upcoming US Open in New York. Expressing his emotions after the win, Popyrin stated, “It means so much, it means the world,” acknowledging the sacrifices made by his family, girlfriend, and team throughout his journey. Following his victory, he celebrated by writing “What just happened!” on the TV camera lens, capturing the moment's disbelief and joy. In the women’s event, Jessica Pegula successfully defended her title, defeating fellow American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. This victory makes Pegula the first woman to win consecutive Canadian Open titles since Martina Hingis in 1999-2000, further solidifying her status in the sport.