Félix Auger-Aliassime's bid to build momentum before the French Open ended Wednesday with a second-round loss to American lucky loser Aleksandar Kovacevic at the Hamburg Open. The Montreal player, seeded first at the ATP 500 clay-court event, fell 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 after surrendering a 4-1 advantage in the deciding set.
How did Kovacevic pull off the upset?
Kovacevic mounted an improbable comeback in the third set after Auger-Aliassime controlled much of the match through two sets. The American, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser when Zizou Bergs withdrew from qualifying, seized the momentum when it mattered most. Auger-Aliassime had defeated Kovacevic in their previous two meetings.
What does this mean for Auger-Aliassime's season?
The loss drops Auger-Aliassime's 2026 record to 19-10 and marks his second consecutive second-round exit. He now heads to Roland Garros seeking to reverse a troubling trend at the Grand Slam, having been eliminated in the first round in two of his last three appearances at the tournament.
Kovacevic's historic run
Kovacevic advanced to the Hamburg quarterfinals, becoming the first American to reach that stage at the event since Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras in 1995. His path to the main draw was unconventional, but his performance on clay suggests he has earned his spot.
Sources
- Sportsnet.ca: Canada's Auger-Aliassime upset in second round of Hamburg Open. Published 2026-05-20.
- Lethbridge News Now: Auger-Aliassime upset by Kovacevic in second round of Hamburg Open. Published 2026-05-20.
Reported from public sources.