No top-5 players left: Canadian Open loses Zverev and Auger-Aliassime in brutal day
ATPThursday, 06 August 2026 at 04:30
The Canadian Open has lost its biggest remaining names before the third round. Alexander Zverev, the top seed in Montreal, was eliminated in a major upset, while second seed and local favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime was forced to withdraw before his second-round match due to a back injury, leaving the ATP Masters 1000 event without any top-five players in the draw.
The double setback changed the entire landscape of the ATP Masters 1000 event. Zverev was expected to lead the title race from the top half of the draw, while Auger-Aliassime represented Canada’s biggest hope for a deep run at home — and potentially a historic challenge for the trophy. Instead, both sections of the draw opened up before the third round.
The exits add another chapter to an already unpredictable edition in Montreal. The tournament had already lost world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic before the first ball was struck, and the latest developments have removed almost every remaining pre-tournament favourite from contention.
Only two top-10 players have reached the third round so far: Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur, while Daniil Medvedev is still waiting to make his debut against Terence Atmane. If the Russian also exits early, Montreal could be left with just two players from the top 10 entering the second week.
Zverev stunned, Auger-Aliassime injury adds to Canadian disappointment
Zverev entered Montreal as the highest seed following the withdrawals of Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic, but his campaign ended earlier than expected against Griekspoor. The German took the opening set in a tie-break, but the Dutchman responded with a much more aggressive performance, completing a 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4 comeback victory.
The result was one of the biggest wins of Griekspoor’s career and continued a difficult period for the world No. 3, who arrived in Canada after reaching the Wimbledon final. After a breakthrough year that included his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, Zverev was considered one of the main contenders in Montreal, but could not find his best level.
“This is one of the most special wins I’ve ever had,” Griekspoor said. “I’ve had a tough season. I was close to throwing in the towel a few times. But I’ve been working harder in practice and reaching a good level. I felt it was about time for a big win.”
Zverev comes in as the top favorite and has the chance to close the gap on Sinner in the battle to become No. 1.
Auger-Aliassime’s withdrawal created an equally significant storyline, especially for the home crowd. The Montreal native had been one of the tournament’s biggest attractions and the main Canadian hope after entering as the No. 2 seed.
The Canadian was unable to compete after suffering a back injury during training on Monday, ending hopes of seeing him make a deep run in front of his home fans. Tournament director Valerie Tetreault admitted the organization had been hoping for a strong performance from their local star.
“I’m not going to lie, we were hoping that Felix was going to win at least a few matches here in Montreal,” she said.
Auger-Aliassime has not advanced beyond the second round at his home Canadian Open since 2022 (quarterfinals)
Montreal becomes wide open after favourite after favourite falls
The collapse of the top seeds has not been limited to Zverev (No. 2) and Auger-Aliassime (No. 4). Before the tournament even started, Montreal was already missing three of the biggest names in tennis, with Sinner (No. 1), Alcaraz (No. 3) and Djokovic (No. 5) all unavailable.
The opening rounds then produced even more surprises. No. 8 seed Taylor Fritz was eliminated in his debut against Thiago Tirante after arriving in Canada just days after winning the DC Open title, while No. 9 seed Flavio Cobolli was beaten by Yannick Hanfmann.
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Other seeded players eliminated early include Andrey Rublev, Valentin Vacherot, Francisco Cerundolo and Alejandro Tabilo, further reducing the number of established contenders remaining in the field.
Ben Shelton survived a difficult test against Jenson Brooksby, while Alex de Minaur continued his strong season with another victory. Meanwhile, Medvedev remains one of the final big names yet to enter the tournament.
With so many favourites gone, the Canadian Open has become one of the most unpredictable Masters 1000 events in recent memory. Players outside the traditional group of contenders now have a rare opportunity to make a career-defining run in Montreal.
Canadian Open 2026 — Top 10 status
| Seed | Player | Status |
| No. 1 | Jannik Sinner | Withdrew before tournament |
| No. 2 | Alexander Zverev | Eliminated — Second round (lost to Tallon Griekspoor) |
| No. 3 | Carlos Alcaraz | Withdrew before tournament |
| No. 4 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | Withdrew before second round (back injury) |
| No. 5 | Novak Djokovic | Withdrew before tournament |
| No. 6 | Ben Shelton | Third round (defeated Jenson Brooksby) |
| No. 7 | Alex de Minaur | Third round |
| No. 8 | Taylor Fritz | Eliminated — First round (lost to Thiago Tirante) |
| No. 9 | Flavio Cobolli | Eliminated — First round (lost to Yannick Hanfmann) |
| No. 10 | Daniil Medvedev | Yet to debut (vs Terence Atmane) |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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