Popyrin punishes Rublev to win ATP Montreal title / Photo: Minas Panagiotakis - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Popyrin punishes Rublev to win ATP Montreal title
Alexei Popyrin defeated sixth-ranked Andrey Rubev 6-2, 6-4 on Monday in the Montreal final to win the first ATP Masters 1000 title for Australia in more than two decades.
World number 62 Popyrin stayed focused as Rublev went into a trademark meltdown as he lost his chance for a second Masters trophy this season after winning Madrid.
Rublev screamed at his errors, kicked a towel holder and beat himself up mentally throughout as Popyrin duplicated the 1000-level success last achieved by compatriot Lleyton Hewitt at Indian Wells in 2003.
Rublev was seen by the doctor after the third game of the second set and given tablets, with the player motioning to his stomach as a possible source of his discomfort.
O.Braun--MP
