Félix Auger-Aliassime's Hamburg Open campaign ended Wednesday when American lucky loser Aleksandar Kovacevic defeated the top-seeded Canadian 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round. Auger-Aliassime had held a 4-1 lead in the deciding set before Kovacevic mounted an improbable comeback to advance.
How the match unfolded
Auger-Aliassime won the opening set 7-5 after breaking serve in the final game, then dominated the second set to force a decider. Kovacevic took the second set 7-5 and then rallied in the third after Auger-Aliassime's early advantage slipped away. According to paNOW, Auger-Aliassime had won his previous two matches against Kovacevic.
Kovacevic's unlikely path to the quarterfinals
Kovacevic entered the main draw as a lucky loser after Zizou Bergs withdrew from qualifying. According to paNOW, Kovacevic is the first American to reach the Hamburg quarterfinals since Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras in 1995.
Impact on Auger-Aliassime's French Open preparation
The Canadian, ranked fifth in the world, had advanced to the second round on Tuesday with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Czechia's Vit Kopriva. According to Sportsnet.ca, Auger-Aliassime was seeking a strong clay-court run in Hamburg before the French Open main draw began Sunday. The early exit cuts short his preparation on the surface ahead of the Grand Slam.
Sources
- paNOW: Auger-Aliassime upset by Kovacevic in second round of Hamburg Open. Published 2026-05-20.
- Sportsnet.ca: Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime wins first match at Hamburg Open. Published 2026-05-19.
- Lethbridge News Now: Auger-Aliassime rides dominant second set to win over Kopriva at Hamburg Open. Published 2026-05-19.
Reported from public sources.