Zverev stunned in Montreal Masters opener as Auger-Aliassime withdraws with injury

Thursday 06 August 2026 - 07:15

By: Sahili Aya

Zverev stunned in Montreal Masters opener as Auger-Aliassime withdraws with injury

The men's draw at the Montreal Masters 1000 was thrown into early turmoil after the tournament's top two seeds exited the competition within hours of each other, dramatically reshaping the race for the title.

World-class contender Alexander Zverev suffered a surprise defeat in his opening match, falling to Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor in three sets. After edging the opening-set tiebreak, the German was unable to maintain control as Griekspoor responded with an aggressive and consistent performance to complete a 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-4 comeback victory.

The result marks an unexpected setback for Zverev, who arrived in Montreal with significant momentum following his triumph at Roland-Garros earlier this season and a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, where he lost the championship match to Jannik Sinner. As the tournament's top seed, he had been widely viewed as one of the leading favorites for the ATP Masters 1000 title.

Griekspoor's victory ranks among the most notable results of the tournament's opening rounds, eliminating the highest-ranked player in the field before the competition reached its later stages. The Dutch player capitalized on improved serving and sustained pressure from the baseline after dropping the opening set.

Earlier in the day, the tournament also lost its second seed when Canadian star Félix Auger-Aliassime announced his withdrawal before playing a match. Tournament officials said the home favorite was forced to pull out because of a back injury sustained during a practice session earlier in the week.

Auger-Aliassime's withdrawal is particularly disappointing for local fans, who had hoped to see one of Canada's leading players compete deep into the country's premier ATP event. His absence removes another major contender from the draw and further opens the path for the remaining title hopefuls.

With the top two seeds no longer in contention, the Montreal Masters enters a new phase in which lower-seeded players and emerging challengers have an opportunity to capitalize on a significantly more open field. The early exits highlight the depth and unpredictability of the ATP Tour, where even the strongest favorites can quickly find themselves out of the tournament.