Zverev upset by Griekspoor at NBO, Shelton…

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The first matches for top seeds at tournaments can often be tricky. They have a bye to start while their opponents have gotten the chance to get used to the playing conditions.

Factor in the extra pressure of being the top seed, a tricky opponent, coming off a busy spring and summer and the elements were in place for a possible upset at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.

Sure enough, Alexander Zverev was beaten by Tallon Griekspoor, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-4 to end the day session on a steamy Wednesday in Montreal. Griekspoor becomes the first men’s player to beat the No. 1 seed in their NBO opener since Nick Kyrgios defeated Daniil Medvedev in 2022. Griekspoor, despite possessing a 2-9 record against Zverev, has played him very tough in recent years. They split marathon outings in 2025 and Griekspoor let slip a double break lead in the fifth set at the 2024 French Open. With his potent serve, he can be difficult to break — and that was the case Wednesday. Griekspoor, ranked no. 69, down from his career high of no. 21 in 2023, did well to regroup in the match. He had a set point before the first set tiebreaker but went passive in the rally, missing a backhand.

Things looked good for Zverev, especially after winning the tiebreak in dominant fashion. The 2017 NBO champ, though, dropped serve to begin the second set.

READ: Fonseca avoids losing his cool, beats Tsitsipas for first Montreal win

Griekspoor continued to thrive and broke for 3-2 in the third frame by smashing an inside-out forehand to end a long rally. Down 2-4, 0-30, Zverev found a way to hold to realistically keep his chances alive. Griekspoor struggled to get over the finish line in their Indian Wells classic in 2025, so how would he react Wednesday?

He duly faced his first break point in the next game and lost serve when Zverev crushed a backhand down the line. But he broke back and sealed proceedings by delivering a forehand down the line. His forehand produced 20 winners and Griekspoor went 17-for-18 at the net.

Shelton doesn’t linger

Defending champion Ben Shelton avoided the upset bug earlier on Centre Court, getting the better of fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 7-5.

“For me it’s huge to get over the pre-tournament nerves. To get a first straight-set win in my summer hard court season is big for me, especially the type of game style that Jenson plays, the difficulties he brings to the table,” said Shelton, who played in Washington last week. “I think he is a nightmare matchup for me. It’s a confidence builder going forward.”

The victory also snaps a four-match losing streak at Masters 1000 tournaments.

In an otherwise routine opening set, a hard Shelton forehand went straight at a stranded Brooksby midway in the first. Shelton was quick to apologize and did so again as they changed ends, with Brooksby taking no offence. Brooksby — known for his unorthodox style that includes slicing his forehand — pulled ahead 4-1 in the second set. The fifth seed got back on serve but the drama truly started at 4-4. Brooksby saved a break point for 5-4. A Shelton double fault then made 0-30 in the next game, but he, too, didn’t buckle. Shelton then got the break he was looking for by rifling a crosscourt forehand on the line.

Moments after it ended, he pointed to his ear, asking for some love from the Montreal fans. They duly replied.

Photos by: Pascal Ratthé / Tennis Canada