Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime retired while trailing 6-4, 4-3 against German Dominik Köpfer in the first round of the grass court tournament in Halle on Monday, just two weeks before the start. sending of the Wimbledon tournament.
We do not yet know the nature and seriousness of the injury that bothered Auger-Aliassime on the 18th.e world player. Koepfer, 70e world player, now has a 2-0 career record against the maple leaf representative.
“I don’t think he suffered a serious injury, and I believe he will be back on the courts soon,” Köpfer said of Auger-Aliassime in a post-match press conference.
“Everything was working today, I was focused,” he added. If I had continued to serve like this, I obviously would have won this match. I have already played two long matches in Stuttgart, which worked in my favor. I hope I can continue in this direction. »
Köpfer will face in the second round of this preparatory tournament for Wimbledon the winner of the duel between the Frenchman Arthur Fils and the Czech Tomas Machac.
On the other hand, Ontarian Milos Raonic worked hard before defeating Briton Cameron Norrie 6-7 (6), 6-3 and 7-6 (9) after two hours and 15 minutes of play at first round of the Queen’s Club tournament.
Raonic, who clocks in at 186e world level, will meet in the second round with the winner of the duel between the Japanese Taro Daniel and the American Taylor Fritz, fourth seed.
Among the women, Quebecer Leylah Annie Fernandez will face Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first round of the Birmingham tournament.