The National Bank Open Masters 1000 event in Canada are well and truly underway.
With more injury concerns, big-seed exits, and dominant performances. Here is a roundup of the round-of-64 action.
Big Seeds Are Falling
A thrilling day of tennis saw some of the biggest seeds exit the competition.
Six of the ATP top 10 seeds for the tournament have fallen at the second hurdle. Some of those names were hailed to go far at this event.
In the WTA, only one of the top 10 was knocked out. That being our Wimbledon women’s champion and world number six, Linda Noskova.
Noskova Versus McNally
Catherine McNally played a phenomenal match against the Wimbledon champion, who played possibly her weakest match of the year so far.
Despite taking a 5-1 lead in set one, including a break to love, Noskova began to unravel.
Countless double faults and under 40% points won on second serve. The Czech let her opponent back into the game.
In game 7, Noskova failed to convert two match points after some unforced errors. And as the errors crept in, her confidence dwindled.
McNally began to dictate the court, capitalising on many mistakes coming from Noskova’s racket.
The American leveled up the games at five apiece, and looked the stronger of the two players. Her second-serve points won were over 50%, which inevitably allowed her to hold serve under any pressure from her opponent.
Both players held serve, taking us to a tiebreak where the match’s theme continued: a few breaks from both players.
At vital moments, Noskova’s unforced errors cost her, handing the set to NcNally.
The American then dominated set two by dealing a breadstick to her opponent, sending the sixth seed to an early elimination.
42 unforced errors and 11 double faults. It will undoubtedly be areas of concern for the young Czech.
Zverev, Cobolli, Rublev and Medvedev Fall Flat
On the ATP Tour, four of the top 10 seeds fell to opposition who rank outside of the world’s top 50.
Despite their ranking, it’s relatively unsurprising that Russian players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev have been knocked out.
Both players, ranked fourth and tenth at the tournament, have struggled for form this year. Not helped by the attitude they often show when on court.
Rublev Versus Shang
Rublev had five match points against China’s Juncheng Shang in the ninth game of set three. However, Shang’s resilience served him well as he kept his nerve to hold his game.
In the match-deciding tiebreak, Rublev conceded a point on serve, handing the 21-year-old a match point on his own serve. He converted it, giving him his biggest win of the year so far after an injury-stricken 2026.
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Medvedev Versus van de Zandschulp
Medvedev was undeniably outplayed in his loss to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. Hard court is Medvedev’s strongest surface, but the former US Open champion was unable to find rhythm.
His Dutch opponent, ranked 70th in the world, converted three of his four break points and efficiently defended two of the 4 he faced. He then consolidated breaks and claimed the first set by breaking Medvedev to love.
Set two was balanced on a knife-edge. Both players held their own, resulting in a tie-break.
Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the tie-break, Medvedev consecutively lost five points and then lost the match on his own serve. Another defeat for the coachless Russian.
Cobolli’s Heartbreaks in Tiebreaks
Roland Garros finalist Flavio Cobolli suffered defeat against German Yannick Hanfmann.
The Italian found himself in two tiebreak situations against the world number 57 and failed to win either.
The first tiebreak was competitive, but the Italian lost the point on the first serve, meaning fighting an uphill battle to get back level. He failed to get back on serve, losing the set 6(5)-7.
In the second set, the 6th seed only managed to win two points in the tiebreak. Too many errors and a lack of points won on second serve saw Cobolli exit the tournament.
ATP Injury Concerns and a Confirmed Injury
The other three big seeds who have exited the tournament are ATP stars who have had formidable years thus far.
Taylor Fritz
Mubadala DC Open champion Taylor Fritz has been suffering from knee tendinitis injuries all season.
An issue that kept him sidelined through most of the clay and grass season.
Fritz has been open about his situation, but it’s an unfortunate tale for the American who’s taken medical time-outs for his issue.
Fritz lost to Thiago Agustin Tirante in straight sets, but it was clear from the opening game that the injury was hampering his ability.
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Alexander Zverev
Roland Garros champion and Wimbledon finalist Alexander Zverev, lost in a three-set thriller to Tallon Griekspoor, but looked uncomfortable on court.
Zverev had taken what looked to be a nasty fall at Wimbledon that could’ve been as severe as an ACL tear.
Thankfully, this was not the case, but a hyperextended knee from that fall was certainly causing discomfort for the German all these weeks later.
Felix Auger Aliassime
Heartbreak for the home favourite who has had to withdraw from the tournament with a back injury.
Felix Auger Aliassime is one of the strongest talents on the ATP tour on hard surfaces but will miss this 1000 event after sustaining a back strain in training.
The Canadian is yet to confirm the severity of the injury but was unable to do any serving motion in training, which is undoubtedly concerning.
Back strain can take weeks to recover; he and his fans will be hoping it doesn’t impact his entrance at the US Open.
Best Round-of-64 Victories
Casper Ruud beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-1, 6-2.
Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin beat Raphael Collignon 6-4, 6-3.
Madison Keys beat Antonia Ruzic 6-1, 6,2.
Iga Swiatek beat Sara Bejilek 6-0, 6-3.
Mirra Andreeva beat Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-2.
For more tennis news, check out our coverage here.
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