World no. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas is the new champion of theDubai Duty Free Tennis Championships! The Greek defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 28 minutes, celebrating his 12th ATP title and the first since April last year.
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Tsitsipas finally broke the spell at the ATP 500 events, losing the opening 11 finals before conquering the 12th in style. The Greek added 500 ATP points to his tally, and he will make a top-10 return on Monday. Tsitsipas and Auger-Aliassime battle for the tenth time.
The more experienced player provided his seventh victory, losing once in the previous eight duels against the Canadian.
Stefanos collected 12 points more than Felix. Both layers struggled behind the second serve, and world no. 11 made the difference with the first. Tsitsipas erased all seven break points and mounted the pressure on his in-form opponent.
Auger-Aliassime played against six break points and suffered three breaks, finishing runner up in his third ATP final of the season. The Greek landed 16 winners and 20 unforced errors, while his rival stood on a 19-22 ratio. Stefanos forged a 23-15 advantage in service winners.
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He outplayed his opponent from the baseline and at the net to emerge as a deserved winner. The Canadian made a reliable start and created two break chances in the fourth game of the duel. The Greek denied them with winners and held to avoid an early setback.
Stefanos drew Felix's mistake in the sixth game and stepped in on the return in the next one. Auger-Aliassime faced three break points and sprayed a forehand on the last to fall 4-3 behind. Tsitsipas denied two break points in the eighth game and held for 5-3.
He made another push on the return in game nine and welcomed another loose forehand from his opponent to wrap up the opener 6-3. The Greek played against two break points in the third game of the second set. He saved them with fine hitting and kept his initial shot intact.
It was Felix's turn to face break chances in the next one. The Canadian denied two break points and locked the result at 2-2. World no. 11 squandered four game points in game seven and offered his opponent the seventh and last break point.
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Stefanos saved it cracked a forehand crosscourt winner to bring the game homeand gathered a boost. Auger-Aliassime sent a forehand long in the eighth game, dropping serve and propelling the 4th seed 5-3 in front.
Tsitsipas served for the title in game nine and welcomed the rival's loose backhand to generate three match points. He cracked an ace on the first, earning a much-needed title and making a top-10 return.
