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Federer Fails to Make Halle Open Quarterfinals for 1st Time

Roger Federer during the match. (AP)
Roger Federer during the match. (AP)
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Federer Fails to Make Halle Open Quarterfinals for 1st Time

Roger Federer during the match. (AP)
Roger Federer during the match. (AP)

Roger Federer failed to reach the Halle Open quarterfinals for the first time Wednesday when Félix Auger-Aliassime rallied from a set down to stun the former champion 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the second round.

The 20-year-old Auger-Aliassime is 19 years younger than the Swiss great, who has won the Halle tournament a record 10 times. Both share the same birthday – Aug. 8.

Federer had been going for his 18th quarterfinal in as many appearances at the grass-court tournament, but was unable to deal with his young opponent’s change of tactics in the second set. Auger-Aliassime targeted the backhand with his strong serves and the Canadian player converted three break opportunities to win in 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Auger-Aliassime next faces German Jan-Lennard Struff, who shocked top-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev on Tuesday, or American qualifier Marcos Giron.

Also Wednesday, Andrey Rublev defeated Australia’s Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-4 and veteran home favorite Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Corentin Moutet of France 6-4, 7-6 (4).

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Ivankovic Takes Responsibility after China’s World Cup Dream Ends

China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
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Ivankovic Takes Responsibility after China’s World Cup Dream Ends

China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)
China's Croatian head coach Branko Ivankovic listens to the national anthem before start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and China at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on June 5, 2025. (AFP)

China coach Branko Ivankovic took responsibility for his team's exit from the World Cup qualifiers after they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday.

China had faint hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite three consecutive losses against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, which left them bottom of Asian qualifying Group C.

The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition had ignited Chinese hopes of a return to the finals for the first time since their sole appearance in 2002.

"This team has been fighting for this goal for over 20 years," Ivankovic told reporters.

"We believed that if we could reach the next stage from this tough group, we would have a strong chance of qualifying. But we didn't succeed, and as head coach, I definitely bear significant responsibility."

The 71-year-old Croatian was appointed by China in February last year to replace Aleksandar Jankovic after the Serbian failed to take the East Asian country beyond the group phase of the 2024 Asian Cup.

"We've brought in a younger generation of players who have injected energy into the team. Based on their performances, I believe this team has a promising future," Ivankovic said.

"We knew this match would be tough — not just because of the opponent, but also the weather. I want to thank my players for fighting until the very last second."

China next host Bahrain, who are in fifth place in Group C, for their final third-round qualifier on June 10.