In the vibrant city of Dubai, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown at the Dubai Championships, where Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime are set to battle it out for a prestigious third title in the early stages of this year’s tour.
This upcoming clash marks their 10th encounter on the professional circuit. Tsitsipas currently has the upper hand with a 6-3 lead in their head-to-head rivalry, dominating their matches since 2020. However, when it comes to finals, they’re neck and neck, having split the two they’ve contested so far.
A victory for Tsitsipas in Saturday’s final would see him re-enter the top 10 world rankings for the first time since June, a significant achievement for the Greek player. He demonstrated formidable form in the semifinals by defeating Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, who’s ranked 47th, with a solid 6-4, 6-4 win, during which he didn’t face a single break point.
“Today was all about avoiding any hassle and focusing on playing strong tennis,” Tsitsipas expressed, reflecting on reaching his first hard-court final since 2023.
Tsitsipas’s return to Dubai is noteworthy; it’s his first appearance since 2020, and this will be his third consecutive final in this illustrious city. He previously fell short against legends Roger Federer in 2019 and Novak Djokovic in 2020.
Meanwhile, Felix Auger-Aliassime fought hard in his semifinal clash, overcoming French qualifier Quentin Halys. Battling from a set down, the Canadian rallied to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, marking his second victory over Halys in just two weeks.
Throughout the week, Auger-Aliassime has been putting in the work, playing four sets in each match. The turning point in his semifinal came as he chased down a smash from Halys in the second set, managing to flick a stunning cross-court winner that set up a crucial break point. From there, he took charge and dominated the rest of the match.
“We were both feeling the fatigue,” Auger-Aliassime admitted. “It was all about keeping the right mindset. On tough days, it’s crucial to stay positive and motivate yourself. I managed to do that well and dug deep physically.”
This year, Auger-Aliassime has already claimed titles in Adelaide and Montpellier, and now he’s set to feature in his third final of the season, a feat he hasn’t achieved since 2022. Both players are bringing their A-game, and tennis enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an exhilarating final.
