DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Stefanos Tsitsipas stands between Felix Auger-Aliassime and a tour-leading third title this yr on the Dubai Championships.
They may meet for the tenth time on tour within the remaining on Saturday. Tsitsipas leads 6-3 total and has dominated their matchups since 2020 however they’re 1-1 in finals.
If Tsitsipas wins in opposition to Auger-Aliassime in Saturday’s remaining, he’ll return to the highest 10 for the primary time since June.
No. 11-ranked Tsitsipas beat No. 47 Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-4, 6-4 with out providing a break level of their semifinal on Friday.
“I really feel extraordinarily completely satisfied that I used to be capable of keep away from the drama right this moment, and play good tennis,” Tsitsipas stated after reaching his first hard-court remaining since 2023.
Showing in Dubai for the primary time since 2020, the Greek has achieved three consecutive Dubai finals. He fell within the deciders to Roger Federer in 2019 and Novak Djokovic in 2020.
No. 21 Auger-Aliassime overcame French qualifier and No. 77 Quentin Halys 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 for the second time in two weeks.
The Canadian has performed 4 units in each match this week, and turned this one halfway by the second when he scrambled to a smash by Halys and flicked a cross-court winner to arrange break level. He transformed and dominated the remainder of the best way.
“We have been each feeling a bit drained I feel,” Auger-Aliassime stated. “It was simply (about) having constructive self speak. Once we’re having a troublesome day, simply to have a pep speak and keep constructive. I did that effectively and dug deep bodily.”
He has already received in Adelaide and Montpellier this yr and superior to a 3rd remaining in a season for the primary time since 2022.