"This is something that I have been fighting a long time for, and it’s great to finally win here in Dubai."
Stefanos Tsitsipas could barely contain his joy after defeating Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday night. The Greek star, playing in his third final in four appearances at the tournament, finally lifted the ATP 500 trophy, marking a historic moment as the first Greek player to triumph in Dubai.
My game kind of clicked, and things seemed to work really well right from the beginning. It’s a big relief to finally hold the trophy at the third attempt. It was definitely something in the back of my mind, and I am very happy to have finally accomplished it. I’m proud I managed to handle the pressure and perform in those crucial moments.
Tsitsipas’ journey to the title was anything but straightforward. Having previously fallen short in the 2020 final against Novak Djokovic, the No 4 seed delivered a commanding performance against one of the ATP Tour’s most in-form players.
Overcoming Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov, Matteo Berrettini, and Tallon Griekspoor en route to the final, he showcased a mix of booming serves, powerful baseline winners, and delicate drop shots to dismantle Auger-Aliassime in just 88 minutes.
Despite a slow start, saving two early breakpoints and winning only three points on his opponent’s first three service games, Tsitsipas seized the crucial moments. A double fault by Auger-Aliassime at 4-3 gifted him the first break, and another break at the same scoreline in the second set paved the way for what he later called his "final redemption" in Dubai.
For Auger-Aliassime, the defeat was a disappointing end to a strong season start, having claimed titles in Adelaide and Montpellier.
It wasn’t to be for me, but congratulations to Stefanos – it’s well deserved. He played at a very high level tonight. This is my second time in Dubai, and I will definitely be back.
India’s Yuki Bhambri and Australia’s Alexei Popyrin seal dramatic win in Men’s Doubles Final
In the Men’s Doubles final, Yuki Bhambri of India and Australia’s Alexei Popyrin delivered a stunning comeback to defeat Croatia’s Harri Heliovaara and Great Britain’s Henry Patten 3-6, 7-6, 10-8.
We were so close to losing in the first round, so it’s unbelievable to be in the final and win it – I don’t think I would ever have dreamt of this.
The duo, who defended four match points in the second-set tiebreak, eventually sealed victory with a Popyrin ace on their fourth Championship point.
Popyrin, a former ball kid at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, savoured the victory.
I’ve been coming to this tournament since I was a kid. I grew up in Dubai, played a lot of junior tournaments here, so to win a title, whether in singles or doubles, is always special. It’s been an unbelievable week.
