Alexei Popyrin stuns tennis world to match Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter feat ending 21-year Aussie wait

Alexei Popyrin has produced one of the most remarkable Canadian Open runs of all-time having become the first Aussie male in 21 years to win a Masters 1000 event after defeating Andrey Rublev in the final. Popyrin has produced his career-best tennis this week to reach the Montreal final as he faced the big-hitting Russian as he attempted to become the first Aussie male since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 to win a Masters event.

And the Aussie was absolutely imperious in the final having outplayed the World No.6 to claim the title 6-2, 6-4 in breathtaking fashion. Popyrin fell to the ground in disbelief as achieved what Alex de Minaur or Nick Kyrgios have not been able to do.

The 25-year-old now joins Pat Rafter, Mark Philippoussis and Hewitt as one of the four men to have won a Masters 1000 event. The last time an Aussie achieved the feat was when Hewitt won back-to-back Indian Wells events.

De Minaur came close in the Canadian Masters last year, but lost to Jannik Sinner in the final. This means Popyrin is the first Australian to win the Canadian Masters since Rafter in 1998.

Surprisingly, Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios have never won a 1000 event, but multiple 500 events. Popyrin now takes home a staggering $1.6 million for winning the title. "It means so much. It means the world," Popyrin said.

"All the hard work that I've put in over the last few years. All the sacrifices that I've made, not just me but my family, my girlfriend, my team, everybody around me. They've just like sacrificed their lives for me and for me to win this for them is just amazing." Popyrin was just as shocked as the rest of the tennis world with his victory, which saw him write: 'What just happened' on the camera lens after his win.

Rublev became very frustrated during the match having felt he didn't reach his usual standards against the Aussie. Regardless, the Russian was all class after the defeat and praised Popyrin for a remarkable run to the title.

"I would like to congratulate Alexei for amazing week and his team for amazing effort. He beat really great players," he said. "He was having a really tough draw, finishing last night really late and then won the title. It's a really big achievement."

Tennis world in awe of Alexei Popyrin

Popyrin has been labelled as arguably the most 'unexpected' winners of a Masters 1000 event in recent years. The 25-year-old has now won three titles throughout his career, but the Montreal win is by far his biggest.

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The tennis world was left in shock after Popyrin's victory with the 25-year-old nearly knocked out of the tournament when down against both Grigor Dimitrov and Hubert Hurkacz. Regardless, the Aussie has been praised for joining an illustrious tennis group.