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).



Amorim Is the Right Man for Man Utd, Says Ugarte 

Football - Friendly - Hong Kong v Manchester United - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China - May 30, 2025 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. (Reuters) 
Football - Friendly - Hong Kong v Manchester United - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China - May 30, 2025 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. (Reuters) 
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Amorim Is the Right Man for Man Utd, Says Ugarte 

Football - Friendly - Hong Kong v Manchester United - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China - May 30, 2025 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. (Reuters) 
Football - Friendly - Hong Kong v Manchester United - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China - May 30, 2025 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. (Reuters) 

Finishing 15th in the Premier League was nowhere near good enough for Manchester United last season but the players still have faith in manager Ruben Amorim, midfielder Manuel Ugarte said.

Amorim took charge of United in November last year but guided them to just seven wins in 27 league matches and their worst-ever finish in the Premier League.

They also failed to qualify for the Champions League as they lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.

"We have to improve things," Ugarte told British media.

"We are all very motivated, because we believe in the coach, we believe in what he wants and that is very important," added the Uruguayan, who also played under Amorim at Sporting.

"Last year we made some changes, we changed our coach, we changed our formation.

"You have to have responsibilities when you play for United. Sometimes the connections take time to get to know each other. I already know the league, the rivals, which is important."

United will play two pre-season matches in the US, taking on Bournemouth in Chicago on Wednesday and facing Everton in Atlanta on Sunday, before returning home to face Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9.

They begin the new Premier League season against Arsenal on August 17.