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.
