Auger-Aliassime upset by Kovacevic in second round of Hamburg Open

Canada's Felix Auger Aliassime returns the ball to Argentina's Mariano Navone during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

HAMBURG — Félix Auger-Aliassime’s chance to tune up for the upcoming French Open came to an end Wednesday with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 loss to American lucky loser Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Montreal’s Auger-Aliassime, seeded first at the ATP 500 clay-court event, had a 4-1 lead in the deciding set before Kovacevic mounted an improbable comeback.

Auger-Aliassime had won his previous two matches against Kovacevic.

Kovacevic, who was initially eliminated in qualifying before getting a main-draw spot when Zizou Bergs withdrew, is the first American to reach the Hamburg quarterfinals since Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras in 1995.

Auger-Aliassime, ranked No. 5 in the world, saw his record this season fall to 19-10 as he was eliminated in the second round at a second straight tournament.

The Canadian star will look to regroup at Roland Garros, where he has been eliminated in the first round in two of his last three appearances.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2026.