Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his standout start to 2025 by rallying past qualifier Quentin Halys 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to reach his maiden ATP 500 final on outdoor hard courts at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
The 24-year-old Canadian who won titles in Adelaide and Montpellier this year, produced an expertly measured response to Halys’ big-hitting to advance to three finals in a season for the first time since 2022. The Canadian’s two-hour, 16-minute win was his fourth deciding-set victory of the week.
“I don’t know how I pulled it through today,” said Auger-Aliassime, who is up to No. 18 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. “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.”.
“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.”
With his run to the last four in Dubai, Halys is up to a new career high of No. 59 in the PIF ATP Rankings. After improving to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Halys, Auger-Aliassime will face fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
On Saturday, Auger-Aliassime will reignite his rivalry with Tsitsipas, who delivered a high-quality display to see off Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 6-4 and reach his first hard-court final since he won Los Cabos in 2023. Tsitsipas controlled from the baseline and limited Griekspoor’s ability to attack at the forecourt as he reached his 30th tour-level final.
“I feel extremely happy that I was able to avoid the drama today, and play good tennis from the beginning until the end,” said Tsitsipas, who improved to 14-4 in Dubai. “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.”
Auger-Aliassime, chasing an 18th ATP Tour final, sprung into life in the fifth game of the second set, which proved to be a pivotal moment in the contest. The Canadian No. 1 scrambled from corner to corner, digging out Halys’ smash with a flicked winner under his feet to set up break point, which he converted and backed up with an assertive finish to the set.
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