"Can beat Jannik Sinner one day and lose to f**king Alexei Popyrin the next" - Fans appalled at Andrey Rublev's 'pathetic' loss in Canadian Open final
Andrey Rublev's bid to win his second ATP Masters 1000 title of the season was shockingly thwarted by Alexei Popyrin in the 2024 Canadian Open final. The Russian's dismal performance in the title clash has drawn sharp criticism from tennis fans.
With Popyrin contesting his maiden Masters 1000 final, Rublev was considered the clear favorite to triumph at the Canadian Open, especially after his impressive 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 win over top seed and defending champion Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals.
However, Popyrin stunned the World No. 6 with his aggressive approach, pulling off a stunning 6-2, 6-4 win to clinch the biggest title of his career. Rublev struggled to muster up a serious challenge, converting just one of his six break points while allowing the Australian four crucial breaks of serve.
Tennis fans were appalled at Andrey Rublev's subpar performance, accusing him of essentially offering "charity" to Popyrin and highlighting the dissonance in his win over Sinner and his defeat to the Australian, who entered the final as the World No. 62.
"Rublev can beat Jannik Sinner one day and then lose to f**king Alexei Popyrin the next," one fan commented.
"RUBLEV = 🤡 WTA joke happened in ATP. RUBLEV is a clown, made POPYRIN a Masters 1000 winner. POPYRIN has not even played an ATP 500 final in his career," another fan chimed in.
"Fair play to Popyrin Superb... Rublev is a disgrace... to put that S**t out in a final is a joke That service game @ 3-3 set 2 was as bad as they come Well done Popyrin for taking advantage of all the charity being given," another fan posted.
Fans continued to lambast the World No. 6 over his "pathetic" display in the final.
"Rublev losing to Popyrin in straight sets is so beyond pathetic,"
"O. M. G. Andrey Rublev is cooked. Bruh, this was his best results of the year and he couldn’t seal the deal… it’s entirely a mental block and he needs to work on that," another fan wrote.
"I think Rublev might have legitimately played the worst 1000 final of all time lol," said yet another.
Others, meanwhile, commended Alexei Popyrin on his well-deserved victory, pointing out that he defeated three top 10 players - Grigor Dimitrov, Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev - to clinch the title.
"That was a fully deserved win. Like I love when the ATP is plunged fully into chaos. that's the fun sh*t. you just marvel at how many lines Alexei's FH was painting and laugh at how insane it all is. i LOVE this sh*t," one fan commented.
"Popyrin beat three top 10 for this title. he is worthy," another fan chimed in.
Andrey Rublev and Alexei Popyrin set to be back in action at Cincinnati Open after Canadian Open final battle
Andrey Rublev will have another chance to clinch his second ATP Masters 1000 title of the season as he and Alexei Popyrin turn their attentions to the 2024 Cincinnati Open after their title clash in Montreal.
Following a first-round bye, sixth seed Rublev will take on the winner of the match between Zhang Zhizhen and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the second round. Drawn in the same quarter as top seed Jannik Sinner, the Russian could set up a rematch with the World No. 1 in the quarterfinals.
Popyrin, meanwhile, will look to extend his winning streak as he squares off against Gael Monfils in the first round. If the Australian triumphs over Monfils, he will battle it out against second seed Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the third round of the Cincinnati Open.