The 2026 National Bank Open is well and truly under way in Montreal, and despite a notable roster of absentees, the Canadian Masters 1000 event has already delivered compelling tennis through the opening rounds. With Alexander Zverev heading the draw as top seed and home favourite Felix Auger-Aliassime hunting a statement result in front of his own fans, there is no shortage of storylines to follow at Stade IGA.
A Depleted But Still Star-Studded Draw
The absences of World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz have cast a slight shadow over proceedings, but the gaps left by the sport’s biggest names have opened the door for others to seize the moment. Zverev, the world number two, enters Montreal as the clear favourite and will be well aware that his path to the title is more open than it would typically be at an event of this stature.
For Auger-Aliassime, the National Bank Open represents something deeply personal. The Montreal native has long been identified as a future Grand Slam contender, and performing well on home soil — in front of a crowd that is entirely behind him from the first point — could be the catalyst for a run that propels him towards the later stages. His form heading into the event was solid, and the opening rounds gave him every reason for optimism as he looks to translate his undeniable talent into a marquee result.
Montreal’s Magic — and Monfils Delight
Beyond the title contenders, the tournament has been buoyed by the presence of Gaël Monfils, whose ebullient playing style and special bond with the Montreal crowd makes him one of tennis’s great entertainers. The veteran Frenchman’s continued presence on the ATP Tour at this stage of his career is a testament to his love for the sport, and his matches invariably draw some of the loudest atmospheres on tour.
For those tracking the US Open picture, Montreal carries particular significance. The North American hard-court swing sits directly on the Flushing Meadows timeline, and form on these courts tends to translate well to New York. Zverev will be eager to assert his candidacy as a genuine US Open title contender heading into the final Grand Slam of the year. For a fuller look at the Flushing Meadows build-up, our US Open 2026 preview breaks down the key contenders and what to watch for.
Can Auger-Aliassime Finally Deliver at Home?
The central question hovering over the National Bank Open is whether Auger-Aliassime can finally produce a defining performance in front of his home fans. His development over recent seasons has been marked by greater consistency and a quiet growth in mental fortitude — the ability to handle the particular pressure that comes with playing in front of a home crowd that wants you to win, perhaps more than you want it yourself.
Should the Canadian go deep into the draw — potentially setting up a semi-final or final clash with Zverev — it would rank among the most anticipated matches on the ATP calendar this summer. Tennis fans in Singapore and across the region have had no shortage of compelling stories this season, from Alex Eala’s brilliant Washington DC Open run to the unfolding drama now playing out in Montreal.
The National Bank Open continues through to 13 August, with the draw narrowing by the day and the stakes rising with every match.
