The 2026 Canadian Open in Montreal finds itself in unprecedented territory. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic all withdrew before the tournament. Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, the first and fourth seeds, were both eliminated in the second round by two Dutchmen. Félix Auger-Aliassime, the second seed and local hope, pulled out with a back injury. The result: no member of the world's top 4 remains in the draw.
A clear path for the defending champion
Ben Shelton, the fifth seed and reigning champion, finds himself in an ideal position. The 23-year-old American launched his title defence with a solid second-round victory over Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 7-5, showcasing the power of his serve and his ability to elevate his level in crucial moments. With the circuit's heavyweights absent or eliminated, Shelton has a clear path toward a second consecutive title in Montreal. His offensive game, built around a devastating serve and a one-handed backhand capable of lethal strikes, makes him the most dangerous player left in the draw.
De Minaur lurking
Alex de Minaur, the third seed, is now the highest-ranked player in the field. The Australian has been impressive from the start, as evidenced by his commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory over Cameron Norrie on Thursday. De Minaur combines exceptional court speed, baseline consistency and sharp tactical awareness that could trouble anyone in the tournament's later stages. His ability to extend rallies and frustrate opponents with his court coverage makes him a credible title contender in such an open draw.
The Scandinavian threat and the young wolves
Casper Ruud, the ninth seed, underlined his credentials by dismantling Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-1, 6-2 in the second round. The Norwegian, often pigeonholed as a clay-court specialist, is demonstrating growing versatility on hard courts. His upcoming match against João Fonseca promises to be one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament: the experience of a top-10 regular against the fearlessness of a 19-year-old prodigy who just eliminated Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first match in Montreal.
Learner Tien, the 12th seed who dispatched Gaël Monfils on Thursday, embodies the new American wave ready to make its mark at the highest level. At 20, his maturity and baseline solidity make him a serious dark horse. Frances Tiafoe, victorious in three sets against Rinderknech, brings his experience of major North American events and could benefit from the home crowd's support.
What lies ahead
This Canadian Open presents a rare Masters 1000 configuration: no clear super-favourite, no predictable semifinal. The coming rounds will shape a bracket where nearly every match will be contested on close to equal terms. Shelton carries the confidence of the defending champion, De Minaur brings consistency, and Ruud offers big-match experience.
This tournament without its usual stars could well crown an unexpected champion, giving Montreal one of those events that lingers long in the memory. The hierarchy is up for redefinition, and that is precisely what makes this Masters 1000 so compelling.
Key numbers
Shelton is chasing a second consecutive title in Montreal, a rare feat in the tournament's history. Ruud conceded just three games in one match against Cerundolo, the most dominant display in the draw so far. De Minaur dropped only six games against Norrie, confirming his rising form on North American hard courts.
