As the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships draw to a close, all eyes are set on the thrilling final clash between fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas and Canadian ace Felix Auger-Aliassime. This riveting season finale of the Middle East swing is expected to showcase some of the most electrifying tennis witnessed in the past three weeks. The question on everyone’s mind is – who will seize the coveted ATP 500 title?
Tsitsipas, fondly known as the ‘Greek God’, entered the Dubai Championships on a somewhat lukewarm note. Despite an unremarkable start to the season, he quickly flipped the script by defeating Lorenzo Sonego (6-4(4), 6-3) in his opening match, setting the tone for a promising run. He continued to dominate against formidable opponents including Karen Khachanov and Matteo Berrettini. His most notable victory, however, was a straight-set triumph over Tallon Griekspoor (6-4, 6-4), highlighting the much-anticipated return of his classic form.
On the other hand, Auger-Aliassime kicked off his Dubai journey with a hard-earned win against Alexander Bulbik (7-6(7), 6-7(4), 6-3). He faced a challenging second round against Nuno Borges and a nail-biting quarterfinal against Marin Cilic, both of which saw him overturning comeback efforts to secure his spot in the semifinals. His grit was on full display in the face of qualifier Quentin Halys, where he emerged victorious with a comeback win of 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, propelling him into the finals.
The history of head-to-head clashes between Tsitsipas and Auger-Aliassime reveals a fascinating story, with the first encounter dating back to 2019. Out of their nine match-ups, Tsitsipas has come out on top six times, including their most recent face-off at the 2023 Paris Masters. This final round in Dubai marks their tenth meeting, adding another layer to their captivating rivalry.
Before entering Dubai, Tsitsipas’s performance in the 2025 season could best be described as a mixed bag. Following a coaching split from his father Apostoles, he suffered a dip in form, marked by an early exit at the Australian Open and a quarterfinal finish in Rotterdam. However, his performance in Dubai, especially his impressive 83.25% first serve win percentage, signals a return to form. Tsitsipas’s aggressive baselining and superior groundstroke play have been pivotal in his recent matches, but Auger-Aliassime is not one to back down easily.
The Canadian prodigy has been having a stellar season. He started the year on a high note with a title finish in Adelaide, followed by another trophy in Montpellier (Open Occitanie). Despite a less-than-stellar performance in Melbourne, he rebounded with a semifinal finish in Qatar and has shown consistent form in Dubai. Auger-Aliassime’s counter-punching style and impressive 11 aces per match average have served him well in the hardcourt season. His tenacity during pressure points and the current momentum suggest that he could potentially overthrow the Greek star in Dubai.
Given Tsitsipas’s ongoing quest for peak form and Auger-Aliassime’s current momentum, the final bout at the Dubai Open could see the Canadian powerhouse claiming his third title of the 2025 season. The anticipation is high, and the stakes are even higher. As the world watches, the stage is set for a showdown of epic proportions.
