Stefanos Tsitsipas Clinches Maiden ATP 500 Title with Dominant Victory Over Felix Auger-Aliassime in Dubai
Stefanos Tsitsipas secured his first-ever ATP 500 title with an emphatic straight-set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final of the 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships. The Greek tennis star, who had come close in previous years, finally etched his name in the tournament’s history with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 win over the Canadian on a sun-soaked Saturday afternoon.
Tsitsipas, who entered the match as the fourth seed, produced an outstanding level of tennis to defeat his in-form opponent in just one hour and 28 minutes. This win marked a significant milestone for the world number 11, as it was not only his 12th career tour-level title but also his biggest outdoor hard-court trophy to date. It was a perfect culmination of a week of stellar performances in Dubai, a venue where Tsitsipas had twice reached the final before, only to fall short against tennis legends Novak Djokovic in 2019 and Roger Federer in 2020.
On the back of this victory, Tsitsipas will return to the ATP Top 10 rankings for the first time since May 2024, an achievement that further underlines his return to the elite ranks of men’s tennis. The Greek’s win at the Dubai Championships is not just a career achievement but also a stepping stone to a potential resurgence in the sport, as he seeks to regain the form that made him a top contender in the sport a few years ago.
“It’s a big relief that I’m able to hold that trophy after the third attempt,” Tsitsipas admitted, clearly emotional after his triumph. “It’s something that I had in the back of my mind, and I’m happy to say I’ve accomplished it.” Tsitsipas has faced his fair share of heartbreak in Dubai in the past, but this time, the Greek was able to stay composed and deliver when it mattered the most.
“To be owning a spot in the Top 10 is definitely one of the greatest feelings a tennis player can experience,” Tsitsipas continued. “It comes with hard work and sacrifices, but I’m happy that I’m in a position where I can really celebrate.”
The final itself was a one-sided affair for large parts of the match, with Tsitsipas in full control from the very start. His serve was firing on all cylinders, and his forehand was as lethal as ever. Tsitsipas kept the pressure on Auger-Aliassime, who had been one of the standout performers on the ATP Tour this year, with 16 wins and two titles to his name already. The Canadian, however, was unable to get into his rhythm and found himself unable to cope with the sheer precision and power of Tsitsipas’ game.
From the first set, Tsitsipas looked a step ahead of his opponent, taking control of the match with a series of aggressive returns and flawless serving. He broke Auger-Aliassime early on and never looked back, holding serve confidently to take the first set 6-3. The Canadian, who had looked in top form throughout the tournament, simply had no answers to the Greek’s superior play.
The second set followed a similar script. Tsitsipas’ dominant serving continued, and he capitalized on Auger-Aliassime’s errors to break him at a crucial moment. Once again, Tsitsipas maintained control and sealed the set 6-3, much to the delight of the fans in Dubai, who had been eagerly anticipating a breakthrough for the talented Greek star.
As Tsitsipas sat down after winning the final point, he allowed himself a brief moment to soak in the magnitude of the achievement. A career-high title, an important return to the ATP Top 10, and a breakthrough victory in a tournament that had eluded him for years. The win added another prestigious title to his ever-growing list of achievements, cementing his place as one of the most promising players on the ATP Tour.
Tsitsipas’ performance in the final, coupled with his strong performances earlier in the tournament, is a clear indication that he is back in top form and could be a serious contender for the biggest titles in tennis in the months ahead. With the hard court season now in full swing, Tsitsipas will take confidence from this triumph as he looks ahead to the challenges that lie in wait at upcoming events.
Elsewhere at the Dubai Tennis Championships, there was disappointment for Britain’s Henry Patten and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara, who were unable to clinch the men’s doubles title after squandering four championship points in a dramatic final. The duo, ranked world number one, were beaten 3-6, 7-6(12-10), 10-8 by India’s Yuki Bhambri and Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, who were teaming up for the first time in the competition.
Patten and Heliovaara, who had already won the prestigious Wimbledon and Australian Open titles, were chasing their sixth tour-level title together. Despite playing some impressive tennis, they could not get over the line, with the match ultimately going to a tense super tiebreak. Bhambri and Popyrin, on the other hand, pulled off an unexpected victory, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of the doubles game.
Meanwhile, in Acapulco, Czech player Tomas Machac claimed his first ATP Tour title with an impressive win at the Mexican Open. Machac, who is currently ranked world number 25, defeated Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(6), 6-2 in the final to take home his maiden ATP 500 title. This victory marked a significant milestone in Machac’s career, as he became just the third Czech player to win an ATP 500 title, following in the footsteps of Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek.
For Fokina, the loss was another setback in what has been a challenging period for the Spanish player. With this being his third final defeat on the ATP Tour, Fokina will need to regroup and find a way to build on his positive performances as he moves forward in the season.
As for Tsitsipas, his victory in Dubai will undoubtedly serve as a huge confidence boost heading into the rest of the 2024 season. The Greek’s ability to perform on the big stage, especially on outdoor hard courts, will make him one of the players to watch in the coming months. With a renewed sense of belief and a title under his belt, Tsitsipas will undoubtedly be aiming for more as he looks to make a deeper impact on the ATP Tour and continue his rise to the very top of men’s tennis.
