Alexei Popyrin joins Novak Djokovic on exclusive list following Canadian Open title run

Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin won the biggest title of his career last weekend at the 2024 Canadian Open, and by virtue of this victory now sits on a distinguished list alongside 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

The 25-year old defeated World No.6 Andrey Rublev in clinical fashion on Monday, dispatching of the Russian with a 6-2 6-4 victory. Popyrin was ranked at 62nd in the world at the start of the tournament, but has now risen up the rankings to a career-high of World No.23.

The Sydney native became the first man to win the Canadian Open on his main draw debut at the event since Djokovic prevailed in Montreal in 2007. Popyrin lost in qualifying at the tournament in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

Furthermore, he is just the fourth Australian man to win an ATP Masters 1000 title, and first to do so in over 20 years. Below are the three Aussies who had prevailed at that level prior to Popyrin's victory.

Patrick Rafter - 1998 Canadian Open, 1998 Cincinnati Masters
The former world No 1 and two-time US Open winner was a runner-up in four Masters finals following his two wins.

Mark Philippoussis – 1999 Indian Wells Masters
The two-time major finalist and former world No 8 lost his second and last Masters 1000 final at the 2000 Paris Masters to Safin.

Lleyton Hewitt – 2002 and 2003 Indian Wells Masters
The former world No 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion was also a five-time runner-up at Masters 1000 level.