ALREADY boasting multiple ATP Tour titles in 2025, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime moved just one win away from a triple treat following his semi-finals victory over French qualifier Quentin Halys, 5-7 6-4 6-3. Auger-Aliassime is an indoor specialist, but is improving his outdoor work having fought through to make yet another final and notch up his 16th win this year.

Auger-Aliassime banked titles in both Adelaide and Montpellier to be three wins ahead of his nearest rivals, and now takes on Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the ATP500 decider. In what was another tiring match for the 24-year-old, he was just relieved to make it through to the final.

“I don’t know how I pulled it through today,” Auger-Aliassime said post-match. “I only played three-setters this week, we were both feeling a bit tired I think. It was just [about] having positive self talk, I think everyone can relate. When we’re having a tough day, just to have a pep talk and stay positive. I did that well and dug deep physically, so I’m really happy it paid off today.”

Auger-Aliassime said the quick turnaround from playing at Doha – where he lost to Andrey Rublev in the semis – was always tough for any player.

“It’s never easy, coming from Doha you feel a bit tired,” Auger-Aliassime said when asked of his standout start to the season. “But it’s the same challenge for everyone, that’s what is interesting. It’s [about] who’s going to be sharp when they need to, and win the important points. It’s never easy, but I feel more and more confident that I have the solutions to come through matches like this.”

Auger-Aliassime made it two wins from as many matches against Halys in the past fortnight, defeating him in the first round at Doha, and again in three sets overnight. The world number 21 has already risen to 18th in the world with the win, having been the most in-form player this season.

His next opponent could have been the most out-of-form ATP Tour player entering Dubai, but Tsitsipas stepped up in Dubai to reach his third final at the event. In 2025, the fourth seed Greek defeated tricky Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets 6-4 6-4 who was coming off a tiring three-set epic win over top seed Daniil Medvedev the day before.

“I feel extremely happy that I was able to avoid the drama today, and play good tennis from the beginning until the end,” Tsitsipas said post-match. “It felt good. I was doing a great job from the baseline and I felt that my focus levels were at their highest so far, from any match I’ve played this week.”

Tsitsipas had won just three matches from seven contests this year, but dug deep this week to pull out his best tennis. An 11-time ATP Tour winner, the former world number three had an easier time of reaching the decider, taking one hour and 23 minutes to defeat Griekspoor.

“I’m trying to take the best out of every match,” Tsitsipas said. “Every match has a new teaching, something new to offer me in terms of experience and knowledge, I’m trying to soak it all in and use that wisdom effectively.”