In a thrilling showdown at the Dubai Championships, Stefanos Tsitsipas finally captured his first ATP 500 title by overpowering Felix Auger-Aliassime with a decisive 6-3, 6-3 victory on Saturday.
Tsitsipas, currently ranked 11th, had faced heartbreak in all 11 of his previous ATP 500 finals—experiencing defeats in Dubai back in 2019 and 2020 as well. However, this time he triumphed in just under 90 minutes, securing not only his 12th career title but also his first win of the year.
Reflecting on his achievement, Tsitsipas expressed a sense of relief, saying, “It’s incredibly gratifying to finally hold this trophy after three tries. It’s been a constant goal, and I’m thrilled to have finally made it happen.”
The Greek tennis sensation seized control by winning the last four games of the opening set and sealed his victory with an ace on his very first match point.
Demonstrating impeccable focus, Tsitsipas saved all seven break points he encountered, thus improving his record against Auger-Aliassime to 7-3. This victory propels Tsitsipas back into the top 10 rankings, a position he hasn’t occupied since May.
On the other side, Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked 21st, was aiming for his third title of the season after already claiming victories in Adelaide and Montpellier. However, his pursuit of a leading third tour title in 2025 will have to wait another day.
