Félix Auger-Aliassime did a powerful job battling to the Dubai ultimate, however he didn’t have sufficient left within the tank to sort out Stefanos Tsitsipas for the title. The Canadian was defeated by the Greek in his first outside ATP 500 ultimate on a tough court docket on Saturday in straight units.
After 4 consecutive three-setters main into the ultimate, Auger-Aliassime lastly met his match with the title on the road. Tsitsipas held off an early push from the Canadian earlier than turning the tables and powering to a 6-3, 6-3, win.
Even in defeat, Auger-Aliassime now leads the ATP Tour in whole finals in 2025 with three and in match wins with 16.
Tsitsipas was clutch when it mattered most within the ultimate, seemingly at all times capable of finding a primary serve when going through a break level. Auger-Aliassime truly had extra probabilities to interrupt within the match however couldn’t convert any of his seven alternatives. The Greek managed three breaks on six break factors. The serve was additionally not as efficient because it usually is for the Canadian, as he solely struck 4 aces and gained 71 per cent of first-serve factors, whereas his opponent gained 83 per cent.
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The 2 males wasted little time in bringing a excessive depth to the ultimate, exchanging large blows proper from the opening recreation. At 2-1, an enormous return by the Canadian led to a double break level opening, however Tsitsipas had the solutions, saving each with some spectacular hitting of his personal.
Auger-Aliassime appeared set to maintain his nostril forward when he led 40-love at 3-3, however he let the lead slip away. A giant forehand from the Greek then created a break level the place the Montrealer missed his personal forehand broad to provide away a stunning break. Auger-Aliassime had two probabilities to interrupt again within the following recreation however once more Tsitsipas had the solutions, saving them with a giant serve and forehand winner.
Now in full circulate, Tsitsipas broke once more within the ultimate recreation to wrap up the opening set.
Each males had probabilities to interrupt early within the second however neither was profitable. They almost had a full position reversal from the opener when at 3-3, it was Tsitsipas’ flip to blow a 40-love lead and discover himself going through a break level, however he was in a position to reserve it by coaxing a forehand into the web from the Canadian.
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That miss proved expensive for Auger-Aliassime as each remaining recreation after that went to his opponent. A forehand miss within the following recreation gave the Greek a pair of break factors and one other put Tsitsipas inside a recreation of victory at 5-3. Tsitsipas served the match out to like.
By reaching the ultimate in Dubai, Auger-Aliassime will return to the High 20 within the ATP rankings. He shall be seeded subsequent week on the first Masters 1000 occasion of the yr in Indian Wells.
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