Andrey Rublev shows emotional growth following Montreal’s final run | ATP Tour

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Rublev shows emotional growth after Montreal run

The fifth seed lost to Popyrin in the title game

August 13, 2024

Andrey Rublev may have fallen one match short of winning his third ATP Masters 1000 title on Monday night at the Omnium Banque Nationale presented par Rogers, but the 26-year-old is proud of how he controlled his emotions during his run in Montreal.

“It’s a beautiful and beautiful church. A really big step forward I think. I feel proud that I was able to be really good all week mentally,” said Rublev. “If you take me back a few months ago or one month ago or compare it to my game [Popyrin] in Monte-Carlo when I lost, I behaved ten times more and it was the first round.

“Here it was the final game. More stress. I still showed some emotions today, but compared to the matches when I lost in the same way, I think I did a better job. That’s why I had a little chance in the second set.”

Rublev has struggled to control his emotions at times in the past, and fans have become accustomed to seeing the 26-year-old show full emotion on court.

However, the No. 6 player in the PIF ATP Rankings was calm during his run in Montreal, where he upset World No. 1 Jannik Sinner on his way to the final. The 16-time tour-ranked list is determined to build on his emotional progress in the coming weeks.

“I know what lesson I have to take from this match and keep going,” said Rublev, who lost to Alexei Popyrin in straight sets in the final. “I was [trying to be] it’s clearer in my head since Bastad and every week I’m doing better and better.

“This week no one expected me to be [would reach] last time i did it. So I’m back to good shape in terms of quality. So I want to focus, keep improving. I just need to take the right lesson and move on.”

Rublev, who last week reached the semi-finals in Washington, improved to seventh in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin, as he bids to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the fifth consecutive year. The 26-year-old was looking for his second Masters 1000 title of the season after winning Madrid on clay.