Dubai's Aviation Club Tennis Centre is buzzing as the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships progresses to the semifinals, promising thrilling clashes featuring some of the leading names from the ATP tour. On Friday, February 28, fans will be treated to two compelling matchups: first, the seasoned Stefanos Tsitsipas will square off against the resilient Tallon Griekspoor, followed by the highly anticipated semifinal between Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and French qualifier Quentin Halys.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, currently the only remaining seed at the tournament, is entering the match with confidence after winning both of his encounters against Griekspoor this month. Their first clash took place at the 2023 Australian Open where Tsitsipas triumphed with a straight sets win: 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-3. More recently, the two met again at the Rotterdam Open, where it was again Tsitsipas who emerged victorious, albeit after a tougher battle, edging out Griekspoor 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 7-5. Notably, Griekspoor fought mightily during the Rotterdam encounter, even saving match points before falling to Tsitsipas.
Leading up to the semifinals, Griekspoor displayed tremendous resilience, recovering from potentially devastating moments. He faced off against Daniil Medvedev, the world number three, on Thursday, overcoming four match points to claim victory with scores of 2-6, 7-6(7), 7-5. This performance suggests Griekspoor is not to be underestimated, as he continues to defy odds. Tsitsipas himself has faced back-to-back challenges from high-caliber opponents: he clawed his way through consecutive three-set matches against Karen Khachanov and Matteo Berrettini.
The second semifinal highlights the clash between Auger-Aliassime and Halys, with significant intrigue surrounding both contenders. Auger-Aliassime, currently the ATP's leader in match victories this season with a commendable 15-4 record, has demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. He not only captured titles at both the Adelaide International and Montpellier but also exhibited his talent during this tournament by knocking out Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to secure his semifinal position.
Meanwhile, Quentin Halys has carved his path to the semifinals with impressive grit. He began his campaign by stunning the third-seeded Andrey Rublev, winning 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5), followed by defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(5), 6-4, and overcoming Luca Nardi after dropping the first set with scores of 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(5). Halys, ranked 77th at the start of the tournament, makes this his debut appearance at the ATP 500 semifinal level, remarkable for the talented 28-year-old.
Both Auger-Aliassime and Halys met just last week at the Qatar Open, where it was Auger-Aliassime who took the win after another closely contested three-set thriller ending 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(2), improving his head-to-head record against Halys to 2-0. With Auger-Aliassime's current form and significant experience at high-stake matches, he enters this match as the favorite. Betting odds reflect this sentiment, with Auger-Aliassime positioned heavily at -325 to win against Halys (+240). This match promises to be riveting; Halys will need to surpass his current physical and mental fatigue stemming from his previous matches to pull off the upset.
The ramifications of these matches extend beyond just the semifinals. A victory for either player would secure their spots not only for the chance to fight for the championship but also impact their future rankings. Auger-Aliassime is on the verge of returning to the ATP Top 20, needing just the semifinal win to potentially rise two ranks. For Halys, this match guarantees him his career-high ranking as he could bridge the gap to the Top 50, having already surpassed his previous highest ranking at No. 61.
The stakes are high as the action heats up on the hard courts of Dubai, with fans eagerly lining the venue to witness this pivotal moment in tennis history. Each player has demonstrated skill, determination, and resilience, setting the stage for what promises to be two gripping semifinal matches. The winners will head to the finals, and with the impressive performances displayed this week, it can be confidently stated: no one will leave without witness to high-level tennis.