Appearing in Dubai for the first time since 2020, the Greek has achieved three consecutive Dubai finals. He fell in the deciders to Roger Federer in 2019 and Novak Djokovic in 2020.
No. 21 Auger-Aliassime overcame French qualifier and No. 77 Quentin Halys 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 for the second time in two weeks.
The Canadian has played four sets in every match this week, and turned this one midway through the second when he scrambled to a smash by Halys and flicked a cross-court winner to set up break point. He converted and dominated the rest of the way.
“We were both feeling a bit tired I think,” Auger-Aliassime said. “It was just (about) having positive self talk. When we’re having a tough day, just to have a pep talk and stay positive. I did that well and dug deep physically.”
He has already won in Adelaide and Montpellier this year and advanced to a third final in a season for the first time since 2022.
