The ATP Montreal Masters saw major upsets on Wednesday as the tournament lost its top two seeds in quick succession. Germany's Alexander Zverev, the third-ranked player and current top seed, was defeated in the second round by Dutch qualifier Tallon Griekspoor. The match was a seesaw battle, with Zverev dropping a close first set in a tiebreak before his form slipped in the final set. The contest lasted over two and a half hours, and Zverev was significantly outplayed in the third set, particularly in the number of unforced errors. These errors were 31-16 in favor of his opponent. Winning shots also favored Griekspoor, with the same 31-16 count.
Griekspoor, ranked 69th in the world, claimed what may well be the biggest victory of his career. After a shaky start, the Dutchman found his rhythm in the second and third sets, ultimately overcoming a resilient Zverev. 'This is one of the most special wins I've ever had,' Griekspoor said after the match.
Injury Forces Montreal Favorite's Exit
Auger-Aliassime Withdraws Due to Injury
Canadian fifth seed and home favorite Felix Auger-Aliassime was unable to compete in his scheduled match due to a back injury he sustained during training on Monday. Tournament director Valerie Tetreault expressed her disappointment, noting the impact of his withdrawal. 'He's definitely the player everybody was talking about and people wanted to know when he was going to play,' she said. Auger-Aliassime's absence, combined with the early exits of top stars like Zverev, has left the tournament feeling deprived of its usual high-profile momentum.
The Montreal crowd had been hoping for a homegrown standout to shine, but the event has already struggled with the absence of other big names. World number one Jannik Sinner and legendary Novak Djokovic did not even enter the tournament, further lowering expectations before the first ball was hit. Auger-Aliassime had been expected to carry the torch for his home crowd, but his injury has shifted the focus to other potential contenders.
Defending Champion Advances Past American
Defending champion Ben Shelton moved into the third round with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 win over fellow American Jenson Brooksby. Shelton, the fifth seed, demonstrated his resilience by coming back from a 4-1 deficit in the second set to win the final seven of nine games. The victory was his 28th of the season and marked a career milestone as he earned his first straight-set win of the summer. Shelton, who now has a 15-3 record against fellow U.S. players since the start of 2025, praised the win as a significant step forward. 'To win it is a huge positive.'
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, just 19 years old, continued his impressive rise with a 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 win over former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas. Fonseca was making his return from a month away after an early exit at Wimbledon. He showcased his talent with nine aces and 31 winners. Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, had a chance to close out the match when he held a break advantage. But a crucial error allowed Fonseca to regain control. The Brazilian closed out the match with an ace on the deciding point. This performance demonstrated his growing confidence and maturity.
Fonca and Ruud Secure Key Wins
Fonseca will next face ninth seed Casper Ruud. Ruud claimed revenge for an earlier loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo by winning 6-1, 6-2. Ruud dominated with 16 forehand winners, using his signature baseline game to great effect. In a day marked by high temperatures and heat warnings for spectators, 11th seed Lorenzo Musetti also advanced. Musetti defeated Colombian qualifier Nicolas Mejia 7-6 (10/8), 6-2. He returned from a two and a half month injury break. Meanwhile, British number two Cameron Norrie and U.S. champion Taylor Fritz both fell. Norrie fell 6-3, 6-3 to Ignacio Buse. Fritz lost 7-5, 6-3 to Argentine Thiago Tirante.
The day's results have left Montreal with mixed emotions. While some players are rising to the occasion, the absence of top seeds and key stars has led to a sense of unpredictability in the tournament. As the event moves into the next round, fans will be watching closely to see who can fill the void left by Zverev, Auger-Aliassime, and the others who have already exited.