Félix Auger-Aliassime lost to Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday in Beijing. The Canadian, seeded second in the tournament, managed nine aces but never earned a break-point opportunity, while Khachanov converted three of four break chances to advance.
Why the rematch mattered
Khachanov defeated Auger-Aliassime for the second time in two weeks. At the US Open on September 3, Khachanov won 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the second round, and the Russian went on to reach the semifinals before losing to Alexander Zverev. The back-to-back losses underscore a troubling pattern for the Montreal native.
Auger-Aliassime's recent form
Auger-Aliassime has struggled since reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals. He lost to Frances Tiafoe in the round of 16 at Cincinnati, then fell to Khachanov at the US Open, and now bowed out in Beijing without a single break point. The 26-year-old did win both singles matches and a doubles rubber for Canada in Davis Cup qualifying earlier this month, helping secure a spot in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna from November 24 to 29.
What comes next
Auger-Aliassime is defending 1,050 ranking points during the European indoor hard-court swing, a surface where he has historically excelled. He won the European Open last year and reached the Paris Masters final, but his current form raises questions heading into that critical stretch.
Sources
- TSN: Canada's Auger-Aliassime ousted by Khachanov again, this time at China Open. Associated Press, 2026-09-30.
- Sportsnet.ca: Canada's Auger-Aliassime ousted by Khachanov again, this time at China Open. 2026-09-30.
- Yahoo! Sports: Why fans of Felix Auger-Aliassime should be very concerned following his latest defeat in China. 2026-09-30.
Reported from public sources.