Felix Auger-Aliassime will have little room for comfort as he begins his bid for an ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal, where he is playing in front of home support as the No 2 seed.

With No 1 Jannik Sinner, No 3 Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic all absent, the Canadian would ordinarily have looked well placed to challenge for the trophy. Instead, the draw has given him a demanding route, with Brandon Nakashima, Arthur Rinderknech, Marin Cilic and Frances Tiafoe all sitting in his quarter.

Top seed Alexander Zverev enters as the leading contender after a strong run that has already brought him his first Grand Slam title at the French Open and his first Wimbledon final. Zverev will begin against Lorenzo Sonego or Tallon Griekspoor, and Taylor Fritz could be waiting in the quarter-finals if both progress as expected.

Pressure will also rest on Ben Shelton, who must defend both his title and the 1,000 ranking points he earned with the biggest win of his career last year. Shelton may meet Jenson Brooksby in the second round, while Joao Fonseca is also in his section.

The absence of Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic has again prompted debate over whether the leading players should be required to appear at Masters 1000 events. Tournament director Valerie Tetreault acknowledged the disappointment, saying: “We are obviously very disappointed that Jannik and Novak won’t be joining us in Montreal this year, especially after they also withdrew from last year’s tournament in Toronto,”

She added: “We respect their decisions and understand that, with such a demanding schedule, players’ health must remain the priority.

“That said, we believe the frequency of these last-minute withdrawals in the last few years raises a broader issue for our sport.

“Masters 1000 events are among the flagship tournaments on the tour, and fans rightfully expect to see the world’s best compete.

“We are already in discussions with the ATP to ensure this matter receives serious consideration.”

Possible quarter-final line-up in Montreal:

Alexander Zverev (GER) vs Taylor Fritz (USA)

Daniil Medvedev vs Ben Shelton (USA)

Alex de Minaur (AUS) vs Jiri Lehecka (CZE)

Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs Flavio Cobolli (ITA)

The Toronto WTA 1000 draw has placed Alex Eala firmly in the spotlight, with the tournament website highlighting a possible meeting with new Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. That focus reflects how quickly Eala has grown into one of the standout names in the women’s game over the past 18 months, a rise further strengthened by her run to the Wimbledon last 16.

Eala is now set for her first WTA 1000 event of the North American swing. If she gets through her opening match in Toronto, she could move into a meeting with Noskova, the newest addition to the list of Grand Slam champions in the women’s game.

The draw also marks a return to action for world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka after a disappointing Wimbledon exit. As one of the seeded players, she will receive a first-round bye. Sabalenka may face Maja Chwalinska in a rematch, a match-up that carries added interest after the Polish player capitalised on a major Sabalenka collapse at the French Open in June.

Sabalenka could also meet Amanda Anisimova in one of the quarter-finals. In the same section, seven-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and defending champion Jessica Pegula have landed in the same half and are projected to meet in the last eight. Coco Gauff is also in the top half and could be on course for another heavyweight contest with Sabalenka if both advance deep into the tournament.

Swiatek is preparing for her first event since losing to Eala at Wimbledon. She may open against China’s Wang Xinyu, while French Open finalist Marta Kostyuk is also in her section.

After the draw, Swiatek said she was looking forward to returning to Toronto and spoke warmly about the conditions and her preparation: “It’s great to be back in Toronto,” she said. “The last time I was here was 2022 and I have great memories from here in 2019, which was one of the first tournaments where I felt really good and that I belonged on the WTA Tour.

“I had more time to practice on hard courts than last year, when it was so rushed. So I have had a nice two weeks of practice on the hard courts.

“I have had a nice time to work with my coach (Francisco Roig). I want to try and implement everything he wants me to do in this tournament.”

Swiatek is expected to draw strong support in Toronto, where the Polish community is sizeable.

Carlos Alcaraz became an unexpected talking point at the World Cup final, where his longer hair immediately stood out to fans seeing him in public for one of the first times since the wrist injury he suffered at the Barcelona Open in April. He was there to support Spain in New Jersey, and FIFA also asked him to bring the World Cup trophy onto the pitch before kickoff in the victory over Argentina.

The new look did not stop with the longer hair. Alcaraz has now appeared with braids, prompting another wave of reactions on Instagram. Some followers welcomed the change, while others were less convinced and called for him to return to his shorter style.

This was not the first time his haircut has become a topic of discussion. Last year, his brother’s attempt to cut his hair went a little too far, leaving Alcaraz with a very close crop that he took into the US Open. That decision seemed to suit him well, since he went on to win the title. His final against Jannik Sinner in New York was quickly regarded as one of the most complete performances of his career.

For now, though, the focus is on his recovery. Alcaraz is trying to be ready for the US Open as he aims to return to competition for the first time since the April setback. Recent footage he has shared suggests he has increased his training and is striking the ball with more power.

A possible run-out at next month’s Cincinnati Open could provide the first major test of his readiness. Former Grand Slam finalist Mark Philippoussis has urged patience as Alcaraz works back. “Look, I hope he comes back healthy. The tennis world needs him,” said the two-time Grand Slam finalist, who won 11 ATP Tour titles,” said Philippoussis in

“I love watching him, he’s incredible for the game. A Grand Slam champion, he’s been No 1 in the world.

“And I just hope he can get healthy. Of course, he’s going to be someone that’s not going to rush the process.

“Also, when it’s to do with the wrist, it’s complicated. So, I’m sure he’s doing everything he can, and hopefully he can be back soon.”