Quentin Halys fired four aces to start his final against Alexander Bublik with the French outsider earning the first ATP title of his career 6-4, 7-6 (6) at Kitzbuehel.

The No. 83 denied his top-seeded Kazakh opponent a second straight title at the famed Austrian World Cup ski venue, leaving Bublik blank on the summer alpine circuit after winning both Gstaad and Kitz a year ago.

The four-ace opening blast was just the start for Halys – now in the 14th year of his career – with the outsider laying down 17 in victory.

Halys was the first from seven French finalists at the event to earn the title here, coming good in his upset of the world No. 11.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/bublik-halys-kitzbuhel-2026-final

“It’s tough not to think about my family, because since I was a kid the goal was to win an ATP title and today the dream came true,” the 29-year-old winner said.

“It’s just crazy. I’m so happy. I played an amazing match today. Sascha is such an amazing player, so I knew I had to play an amazing match to win and that’s what I did, so I’m so happy. 

“The crowd was crazy, and I hope everybody enjoyed it as much as I did today.”

Halys was playing only his second Tour final after losing to Matteo Berrettini at Gstaad, 2024.

Main photo:- Quentin Halys celebrates winning his first ever ATP title © Generali Open

The top boss at the Montreal Masters has called for urgent reforms in the post-Wimbledon tournament schedule after late pullouts from Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, who both also pulled the plug on Canada last summer.

Sinner won in Canada in 2024 but withdrew along with Djokovic in 2025 when the event was held in Toronto and four-time champion Djokovic, both withdrew in the final countdown to the Aug 2 start of one of two Masters events prior to the US Open.

Sinner made a late pull in 2025 from the Toronto Masters edition wild Djokovic, 29, has not played in Canada since 2018 and is unlikely to return.

To add to the frustration, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is also out as he recovers form a wrist injury which has kept him off court since April.

The wave of  untimely withdrawals seems all too much for new Montreal TD Valerie Tetreault.

“We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak won’t be joining us in Montreal this year, especially after they also withdrew from last year’s tournament in Toronto.

“We respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players’ health must remain the priority.”

She added: “That said, we believe the frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in the last few years raises a broader issue for our sport.

“Masters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour, and fans rightfully expect to see the world’s best compete.

“We are already in discussions with the ATP to ensure this matter received serious consideration.”
The Canadian event which alternate between Montreal and Toronto and has historically received the brunt of the late withdrawals with top players often not ready to return if they did well at Wimbledon.

Sinner won Wimbledon over Alexander Zvererev while 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic lost a semi-final to Italy’s world No. 1 this month.

Sinner’s Montreal absence kills any chance that he might make history by winning all nine Masters titles in the same season.

The 24-year-old has lifted 2026 trophies at all five Masters played by the season’s halfway point.

He is expected back at Cincinnati from mid-August, where he quit the 2025 final after five games against Alcaraz due to illness with illness.

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner with the Wimbledon 2026 Trophy – by Roger Parker/ISF Ltd

Andy Murray will give his coaching attempt with Jack Draper another go this week in Washington as the injury-prone Brit attempts a comeback after dropping out of Wimbledon and skewering his debut with his famed compatriot.

Murray has patiently adjusted to the waiting game with Draper, a one-time national No. 1 now ranked 147.

The pair will attempt to kick start their coaching relationship in steamy conditions in Washington as the pre-US open hardcourt season kicks off in the US capital.

Since announcement of the collaboration last May, Draper has only played one event, reaching the home semi-finals at Eastbourne.

But the Wimbledon partnership was put on hold by yet another injury to the fragile 24-year-old, who did not compete from last September until Davis Cup in February due to bone bruising in his serving arm.

Bringing three-time Grand Slam winner Murray on board had originally been billed as a deal of only a few weeks. Draper has played in only six events this season, winning eight of 13 matches.

Sky Sports reported that Sir Andy and his new pupil had been spotted on a practice court in Washington this week.

Main photo:- Sir Andy Murray takes a training time out with Jack Draper in Washington