<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Without the guys in the box, I probably would have lost this one.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tallon Griekspoor, after stunning top seed Alexander Zverev in the second round in Montreal.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nTODAY'S NEWSLETTER:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
- TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:<\/strong> The Entire ATP Top 5 Just Vanished From Montreal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- PLAYER GOSSIP:<\/strong> Alex Eala Can't Stop Winning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- VIDEO OF THE WEEK:<\/strong> Return Of Serve Masterclass<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- PRODUCT OF THE WEEK:<\/strong> Wilson Blade 98 (16x19) v10<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- INTERESTING FACT:<\/strong> A First In Masters 1000 History<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Let's dive in \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTOUR HIGHLIGHTS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
THE ENTIRE ATP TOP 5 JUST VANISHED FROM MONTREAL<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IN OTHER NEWS...<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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- \ud83d\ude24 Taylor Fritz, days after lifting the DC title, bounced by Thiago Tirante 7-5, 6-3 \u2192 read more<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \ud83e\udee1 Shang Juncheng saves FIVE match points to stun No. 10 Rublev \u2192 read more<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \ud83d\udca5 Caty McNally erases a 5-1 hole to knock out Wimbledon champ Noskova \u2192 read more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPLAYER GOSSIP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ALEX EALA CAN'T STOP WINNING<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\nNeed someone to hit with?<\/h3>\n
Stop waiting on group chats. PlayYourCourt matches you with local players at your level.<\/p>\nFind a Partner \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
NATE'S TIP OF THE WEEK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
RETURN OF SERVE MASTERCLASS: HOW TO DOMINATE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOTS IN TENNIS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n