Auger-Aliassime to face Tsitsipas in Dubai final

DUBAI: It may not have been plain sailing on Friday, but Felix Auger-Aliassime is into the final at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. He will face fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.

The 24-year-old continued his standout start to 2025 by rallying past qualifier Quentin Halys 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to reach his maiden ATP 500 final on outdoor hard courts. Auger-Aliassime, who won titles in Adelaide and Montpellier this year, produced an expertly measured response to Halys’ big-hitting to advance to three finals in a season for the first time since 2022. The Canadian's two-hour, 16-minute win was his fourth deciding-set victory of the week.

Tsitsipas beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 6-4 in the second semifinal.

“I don’t know how I pulled it through today,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I only played three-setters this week, we were both feeling a bit tired I think. It was just [about] having positive self talk, I think everyone can relate. When we’re having a tough day, just to have a pep talk and stay positive. I did that well and dug deep physically, so I’m really happy it paid off today.”

Having overcome Halys in a deciding-set tie-break in the first round in Doha last week, Auger-Aliassime knew that he was going to have to dig deep once more against the Frenchman, who stunned World No. 9 Andrey Rublev in his opener for the biggest win of his career. Yet the Canadian kept his cool in the crucial moments to record a 16th victory in 2025 — the most of any player on Tour. Agencies

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