Tsitsipas Triumphs for First ATP 500 Title in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Stefanos Tsitsipas captured his first ATP 500 title with a decisive 6-3, 6-3 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday. The 26-year-old Greek player showcased an impressive performance at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, taking just 90 minutes to claim the win.

Tsitsipas, seeded fourth, had previously reached the Dubai final twice, losing to Novak Djokovic in 2019 and Roger Federer in 2020. Saturday’s triumph marked Tsitsipas’ 12th career title and his biggest outdoor hard-court victory to date. With this win, he is set to return to the ATP top 10 rankings for the first time since May 2024.

“It’s a big relief that I’m able to hold that trophy after the third attempt,” Tsitsipas said in a post-match interview. “It’s something that I had in the back of my mind, and I’m happy to say I accomplished it.”

Tsitsipas highlighted the importance of hard work and resilience in achieving his goal, stating, “To be owning a spot in the top 10 is definitely one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience. It comes with hard work and sacrifices, but I’m happy that I’m in a position where I can really celebrate.”

In the championship match, Tsitsipas rallied from a 2-3 deficit in the first set, winning four consecutive games to secure the set. Auger-Aliassime, who led the ATP Tour with 16 match wins this season and was seeking his third title of 2025, struggled to convert seven break points, which contributed to the match slipping away from him.

“There is nothing that ensured the win today; it was just pure fighting,” Tsitsipas added. “I knew it was a difficult task. I’m just proud of the way I managed the pressure and performed in those crucial moments.”

In related news, Britain’s Henry Patten and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara fell short in the men’s doubles final, losing to India’s Yuki Bhambri and Alexei Popyrin of Australia. The match ended with a close score of 3-6, 7-6 (12-10), 10-8, marking a missed opportunity for the top-ranked duo, who were chasing their sixth tour-level title.

Meanwhile, in Acapulco, Czech player Tomas Machac claimed his first ATP title with a victory over Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Mexican Open. Machac, ranked 25th in the world, won the match 7-6(6), 6-2 and became the third player from the Czech Republic to secure an ATP 500 title.

“It feels amazing,” Machac said after the match. “I was sometimes very tough on my coach, but I told him two weeks ago that I sometimes struggle with big matches, and I don’t know how to manage these situations, but then I won.”