Double blow in Montreal as Zverev, FAA exit

Alexander Zverev and local favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime both made early exits on Wednesday from the Montreal Masters, leaving the event scratching for interest.

With Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic non-starters, the loss of the top two seeds was not a welcome blow.

French open winner Zvererv, a month removed from his final against Sinner in London, was ambushed 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-4 by determined Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.

Defeat by the No. 69 marked a poor start to the US Open run-up for Zverev.

FAA puled the plug a few hours earlier after a back injury sustained in training failed to heal.

“I started having pain Monday. It was quite sudden. I was training here for two weeks, and I had zero problems. 

“The timing is tough for it to happen here. I was lucky to get an extra day to prepare, as I was ready to play Tuesday night.

“I thought that day by day things would get better, but I tried to go on court today.  I basically couldn’t serve really. It was impossible for me to think about even competing.”

The world No. 4 drawcard threw event bosses into a panic.

“I’m not going to lie, we were hoping that Felix was going to win at least a few matches here in Montreal,” tournament director Valerie Tetreault said. “He’s definitely the player everybody was talking about, and people wanted to know when he was going to play.”

There was a win for holder and fifth seed Ben Shelton who erased a lae deficit to defeat US compatriot Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 7-5, winning six of the last seven games.

Shelton has won seven straight matches in Canada.

“Defending is tough, i had to get over pre-tournament nerves but I got my first straight-set win of the summer season. Jenson is a nightmare match-up for me, to win it is a huge positive,” the winner said.

Stefanos Tsitsipas lost to Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 to Joao Fonseca in the second round.

The 19-year-old Brazilian winner was competing for the first time in a month and quickly managed nine aces among his 31 winners.

“The younger Joao would have lost his mind,” the winner said. “But I’m more mature now. I knew it would be difficult for me after a few weeks of not playing.

“I just kept going, felt good. At 6-5 I was ready to serve for the match again. I’ve played all of the (ranking) top five, so I have the experience,” added the 19-year-old. “That has helped me use my mental strength.”

Fonseca next plays ninth seed Casper Ruud, who beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo, 6-1, 6-2.-

Main photo:- Tallon Griekspoor: upset Alexander Zverev – by ATPTour.com