The Weekly Serve – Vol. 123

"Without the guys in the box, I probably would have lost this one."

Tallon Griekspoor, after stunning top seed Alexander Zverev in the second round in Montreal.

TODAY'S NEWSLETTER:

• TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: The Entire ATP Top 5 Just Vanished From Montreal
• PLAYER GOSSIP: Alex Eala Can't Stop Winning
• VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Return Of Serve Masterclass
• PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) v10
• INTERESTING FACT: A First In Masters 1000 History

Let's dive in 👇

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

THE ENTIRE ATP TOP 5 JUST VANISHED FROM MONTREAL

The National Bank Open in Montreal turned into pure carnage this week. By the time Wednesday night wrapped up, not a single member of the ATP's top five was left standing in the round of 16 of a Masters 1000 event. Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic all withdrew before a ball was struck. Felix Auger-Aliassime pulled out of his second-round match with a back injury. Then top seed Alexander Zverev, fresh off his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, got sent home by Tallon Griekspoor, 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4.

Here's the thing: Griekspoor came in ranked 69th and had won just one of his previous eight matches. Then he played the match of his season, going 17-for-18 at the net and finally refusing to let a lead slip against a rival who had long owned their head-to-head. He wasn't the only one doing the giant-killing, either. No. 7 Taylor Fritz went out too, and the top of the draw is now wide open. Somebody in Canada is about to have the run of their life.

IN OTHER NEWS...

• 😤 Taylor Fritz, days after lifting the DC title, bounced by Thiago Tirante 7-5, 6-3 → read more
• 🫡 Shang Juncheng saves FIVE match points to stun No. 10 Rublev → read more
• 💥 Caty McNally erases a 5-1 hole to knock out Wimbledon champ Noskova → read more

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PLAYER GOSSIP

ALEX EALA CAN'T STOP WINNING

If you're after the feel-good story of the summer, look no further than the 20-year-old from the Philippines. Fresh off winning her first career WTA title in Washington on Monday, Alex Eala barely had time to unpack before she was back on court in Toronto. And she just kept rolling, beating Alycia Parks 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the third round in her tournament debut.

Most players would be running on fumes after back-to-back weeks like that. Eala looks like she's just getting warmed up. Next up is a first-ever meeting with American Caty McNally, who's also playing the best tennis of her career right now. Keep an eye on this one. It has the makings of a genuine breakout summer.

NATE'S TIP OF THE WEEK

RETURN OF SERVE MASTERCLASS: HOW TO DOMINATE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOTS IN TENNIS

Most players spend hours grooving their serve and barely a minute thinking about the return. That's a mistake, because the return is where you win or lose the majority of points in a match. Watch Nate walk you through a full return of serve masterclass: where to stand, how to read the toss, and the simple split-step timing that turns your return into a weapon.

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PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

WILSON BLADE 98 (16x19) V10

If you want a control racquet that still lets you swing big, this is the one. The Blade 98 (16x19) v10 pairs a 98-square-inch head with an open 16x19 string pattern, so you get that classic Blade precision plus enough spin and power to hit through the court. Wilson gave it a new tapered beam for 2026 and added StableFeel+ for less wobble on off-center hits, and it looks sharp in Championship Green. Best for intermediate to advanced players who like to dictate from the baseline.

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INTERESTING TENNIS FACT

A FIRST IN MASTERS 1000 HISTORY

Here's how wild Montreal got: for the first time in Masters 1000 history, none of the world's top six even reached the round of 32. Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic withdrew before it started, Auger-Aliassime pulled out injured, and Zverev and Medvedev both lost early. The only event that ever came close was Rome back in 1991.

TENNIS P*RN

Two clay courts hidden away in the trees, seen from above. The kind of quiet spot where nobody can hear you argue a line call.

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