Dutch tennis star Tallon Griekspoor produced one of the standout performances of the 2026 ATP season by defeating world No. 3 and top seed Alexander Zverev in the second round of the National Bank Open in Montreal. The impressive victory keeps Griekspoor’s campaign alive and further strengthens his reputation as one of the most dangerous unseeded players on the ATP Tour.
Griekspoor battled back after dropping a tight opening-set tiebreak before taking control of the match with aggressive baseline play and confident serving. He completed a memorable 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-4 comeback to eliminate the tournament favorite.
Griekspoor turns the match around
The Dutchman showed remarkable resilience after losing the opening set. Instead of fading, he raised his level throughout the second and third sets, forcing Zverev into uncomfortable rallies while capitalizing on key break-point opportunities.
The victory marked Griekspoor’s third career win over Zverev and added another Top-5 scalp to his growing résumé. It was also considered one of his biggest wins of the 2026 season.
Montreal draw opens up
Griekspoor’s upset came during a dramatic week in Montreal, where several top contenders exited the tournament early. With numerous high-profile players already out of the draw, the Dutchman suddenly finds himself with a genuine opportunity to make a deep Masters 1000 run.
His confidence will be boosted by the quality of his performance against one of the ATP Tour’s elite competitors.
Next challenge: Matteo Arnaldi
Following the victory over Zverev, Griekspoor advanced to face Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the third round. The matchup presents another difficult test, but the Dutch player enters with momentum after one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Why this win matters
Griekspoor has built a reputation for upsetting highly ranked opponents over the past few seasons. His powerful serve, flat groundstrokes, and improved movement make him a dangerous opponent on hard courts, particularly in Masters-level events.
Defeating a player of Zverev’s caliber reinforces his standing on the ATP Tour and could provide valuable ranking points as he aims to climb further up the world rankings.
Final thoughts
Tallon Griekspoor‘s thrilling comeback over Alexander Zverev was one of the defining moments of the National Bank Open. By eliminating the tournament’s top seed, the Dutchman reminded the tennis world that he is capable of competing with—and defeating—the sport’s biggest names.
With confidence soaring and a favorable opportunity ahead in Montreal, Griekspoor will look to continue his impressive run and turn a memorable upset into a career-defining tournament.
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