Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Dubai’s blue hard court is a springboard—and Stefanos Tsitsipas continues landing landmark wins.
Near-flawless on first serve, Tsitsipas stopped Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 6-4 charging into his 30th career final at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
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It is Tsitsipas’ third consecutive Dubai final and it came on the strength of some statement serving.
Tsitsipas served 64 percent, won 29 of 32 first-serve points, slammed seven aces, stamped four love holds and did not face break point in a one hour, 23-minute win.
“I mean finally I can get an early good night’s sleep,” Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview. “Not having to go to bed at two o’clock every morning.
“I feel extremely happy I was able to avoid the drama today and play good tennis from the beginning to the end. It felt good. I was doing a great job from the baseline and I felt my focus levels were at their highest so far from any match that I’ve played this week, actually.”
It’s been a big breakthrough week for Tsitsipas, who scored his 350th career win with a 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-4 conquest of Karen Khachanov on Wednesday.
Tomorrow, Tsitsipas plays for his 12th career championship—and to break an ignominious streak.
Tsitsipas, who is 0-11 lifetime in ATP 500-level finals, is playing for his first ATP 500 crown.
The former world No. 3 Tsitsipas faces Felix Auger-Aliassime in Saturday’s final.
Earlier, Auger-Aliassime pumped 10 aces and saved seven of nine break points ending the inspired run of French qualifier Quentin Halys 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
World No. 21 Auger Aliassime continues his red-hot roll to the start of the season. Auger-Aliassime scored his Tour-best 16th win becoming the first man to reach three finals this season.
The first Canadian Dubai finalist will play for his third title of the year—and eighth career championship.
“It’s never easy, but I feel more and more confident I have the solutions to come through matches like this,” said Auger-Aliassime, who has reached three finals in a season for the first time since 2022.
The 26-year-old Tsitsipas has won six of nine meetings vs. Auger-Aliassime, but the Canadian swept their last encounter, 6-4, 6-2, in the 2022 Rotterdam final.
“Obviously, Felix has been playing very well lately,” Tsitsipas said. “And everyone is aware on the Tour. I’m going to go out on the court and try my best and see what he comes up with. Let’s just leave it to the best player.”
Applying pressure in the seventh game, Tsitsipas gained a couple of break points. Griekspoor saved both then cracked a running forehand crosscourt to hold for 4-3.
Two games later, Griekspoor essentially broke himself. The Dutchman double faulted then netted a forehand volley gifting the break and a 5-4 lead to the Greek.
Tsitsipas slashed his fourth ace wide to seal the 42-minute opener.
After the set, Griekspoor called for the trainer for treatment of an apparent hamstring strain.
World No. 47 Griekspoor fought off four match points in the second set, toppling top-seeded Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 for his biggest career win last night.
The toll of saving seven match points overall—Griekspoor fought off three match points in his opening-round win over Roman Safiullin—caught up to underdog who bricked a backhand volley wide to cede the break and a 2-1 second-set lead to the Greek.
The disconsolate Dutchman shook his head in discouragement at the deficit.
Across the net, winners were streaming from Tsitsipas’ blacked-out racquet as he soared through a love hold to back up the break for 3-1.
Drilling a diagonal forehand, Tsitsipas earned triple match point. He flashed one final forehand in the corner, closing in one hour, 23 minutes to improve to 7-4 on the season.
"I’m trying to take the best out of every single match," Tsitsipas said. "I feel every single match has a new teaching. Something new to offer me in terms of experience and knowledge in regards to my game.
"So I’m just trying to soak it all in and use that wisdom from every single match and use it effectively.”