Tsitsipas ends losing streak in ATP 500 finals by beating Auger-Aliassime to win Dubai Championships

Stefanos Tsitsipas secured his first ATP 500 title by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in the Dubai Championships final on Saturday
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece returns the ball to Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada during the men's singles final match of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece returns the ball to Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada during the men's singles final match of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Stefanos Tsitsipas secured his first ATP 500 title by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 in the Dubai Championships final on Saturday.

The 11th-ranked Tsitsipas lost all 11 previous finals he played in ATP 500 events — including in Dubai in 2019 and 2020 — but needed just under 90 minutes to claim his 12th career title and first of the year.

“It’s a big relief that I’m able to hold that trophy after the third attempt," said Tsitsipas, who lost to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in his previous two Dubai finals. "It’s something that I had in the back of my mind, and I’m happy to say I accomplished it.”

The Greek player won the last four games of the first set and then clinched the win with an ace on his first match point.

Tsitsipas saved all seven break points he faced to improve to 7-3 against Auger-Aliassime. The victory will lift the Greek player back into the top 10 for the first time since May.

No. 21-ranked Auger-Aliassime was seeking what would have been a tour-leading third win for 2025. He won in Adelaide and Montpellier this year.

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Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada serves to Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during the men's singles final match of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

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Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, in the foreground, returns the ball to Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada during the men's singles final match of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece serves to Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada during the men's singles final match of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Credit: AP

icon to expand image

Credit: AP