‘No one beats you 12 times in a row’

Stefanos Tsitsipas entered this week’s ATP 500 Dubai occasion with a mediocre 3-4 rating within the opening 4 tournaments of 2025. The Greek discovered his A-game and bested 5 rivals to elevate his first ATP trophy in ten months. 

Tsitsipas additionally broke the spell, conquering his first ATP 500 title after shedding the primary 11 finals! Novak Djokovic congratulated Stefanos on the title and joked together with his rival. The Serb said that nobody beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 12 occasions in a row on ATP 500 degree.

They met within the 2020 Dubai closing, and Novak scored a win in straight units for his fifth and most up-to-date Dubai trophy. 

Novak Djokovic on IG after Tsitsipas gained his first ATP 500 title in Dubai:

“Nobody beats Stefanos Tsitsipas 12 occasions in a row on 500 tour degree” 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/1l9RTKOQSk

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 1, 2025

Stefanos couldn’t catch a break at this degree for years, and it modified this week in his third Dubai Open closing. The 4th seed ousted Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov, Matteo Berrettini and Tallon Griekspoor en path to his twelfth ATP 500 title.

World no. 11 confronted Felix Auger-Aliassime within the closing and earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory in an hour and 28 minutes for his twelfth ATP title. Stefanos ousted Felix for the seventh time in ten duels, shedding to the Canadian as soon as within the earlier eight duels.

Tsitsipas grabbed 12 factors greater than outplayed his rival behind the primary serve. The Greek denied all seven break factors and bested the Canadian within the pivotal moments. Auger-Aliassime performed in his third closing of the season however couldn’t have fun. 

He misplaced serve 3 times and settled for the runner-up spot. Stefanos constructed a 23-15 benefit in service winners and had the higher hand from the baseline and on the internet. Stefanos confronted two break factors within the fourth sport of the duel and saved them with winners. 

Auger-Aliassime missed a few photographs within the seventh sport and provided his opponent three break possibilities. He missed a forehand on the primary, shedding serve and falling 4-3 behind. He had an opportunity to drag the break again within the subsequent one. 

Stefanos saved them and held for 5-3 earlier than stepping in on the return in sport 9. He created a set level and welcomed Felix’s wayward forehand, securing his second break and wrapping up the primary a part of the duel 6-3.

Tsitsipas confronted one other pair of break possibilities at 1-1 within the second set. He denied them and held to keep away from an early setback and preserve his preliminary shot intact. Felix needed to dig deep within the fourth sport, saving two break factors and leveling the rating at 2-2. 

World no. 11 struggled to convey the seventh sport residence. He squandered 4 sport factors and performed towards the seventh and final break level. Stefanos saved it and closed the sport with a forehand crosscourt winner that despatched him 4-3 in entrance. 

The Canadian bought damaged within the eighth sport after a forehand error, falling a set and a break behind and discovering himself in a difficult place. Tsitsipas served for the title at 5-3 and generated three match factors after the rival’s backhand error. 

The Greek landed an ace on the primary, securing his first ATP 500 title and returning into the top-10.