Romanian Andrei Pavel won the biggest match of his career to edge out Pat Rafter in the final of the Masters Series event in Montreal.

The 27-year-old, who is yet to progress past the fourth round of a grand slam event, beat the Wimbledon finalist 7-6 (7/3) 2-6 6-3.

Playing in his first Masters Series final, the world number 46 rose to the occasion with a consistent and deft performance.

His only lapse was when he lost the second set to let the Australian back into contention.

But in the final set, Pavel broke Rafter to go 5-3 ahead, before holding serve to finish off the match.

"This is a dream come true," said an ecstatic Pavel, who claimed his first tournament win since triumphing in Dusseldorf 15 months ago.

"The pressure was so big that kept saying to myself 'Just smile and enjoy it, and just go for it'."