Tsitsipas beats FAA to win Dubai title, snap losing streak in ATP 500 finals
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Stefanos Tsitsipas secured his first ATP 500 title by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in the Dubai Championships final on Saturday.
The 11th-ranked Tsitsipas lost all 11 previous finals he played in ATP 500 events — including in Dubai in 2019 and 2020 — but needed just under 90 minutes to claim his 12th career title and first of the year.
“It’s a big relief that I’m able to hold that trophy after the third attempt," said Tsitsipas, who lost to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in his previous two Dubai finals. "It’s something that I had in the back of my mind, and I’m happy to say I accomplished it.”
The Greek player won the last four games of the first set and then clinched the win with an ace on his first match point.
Tsitsipas saved all seven break points he faced to improve to 7-3 against Auger-Aliassime. The victory will lift the Greek player back into the top 10 for the first time since May.
No. 21-ranked Auger-Aliassime was seeking what would have been a tour-leading third win for 2025. He won in Adelaide and Montpellier this year.
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
HEADLINES
- Machac beats Davidovich Fokina to secure his 1st career title
- Sinner's nomination for Laureus sportsman award withdrawn over ban
- Griekspoor saves 4 match points in win over Medvedev in Dubai
- Rublev loses in 1st round in Dubai 3 days after taking Doha title
- Rublev credits his mental approach after beating Draper to win Qatar Open