Felix Auger-Aliassime has made waves at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, advancing to the final after a hard-fought battle against French qualifier Quentin Halys. The Canadian tennis star rallied to secure his place with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, marking another significant achievement as he aims for his third title of 2025.
Auger-Aliassime, 24, displayed his remarkable resilience during the match at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre, demonstrating not only physical prowess but also the mental fortitude required at this level of competition. "I don’t know how I pulled it through today. It was just [about] having positive self-talk," he reflected after his match, emphasizing the importance of maintaining mental clarity during tense moments. His victory came after two hours and 16 minutes of intense play, where he now stands as the player with the most wins on the ATP Tour this year with 16 victories.
This season has been nothing short of spectacular for Auger-Aliassime, who has already clinched titles at both the Adelaide and Montpellier tournaments earlier this year. "I feel more and more confident... the same challenge for everyone, that's what is interesting," he explained, highlighting his determination and competitive mindset.
Despite facing some hurdles throughout the match, including losing the first set after struggling to convert on well-timed opportunities, Auger-Aliassime turned the tide effectively. He won the second set by capitalizing on Halys' momentarily faltering serve, securing the break point and finishing strongly. His ability to break his opponent's rhythm is key to his success, and he saved both break points he faced during the final set, converting 93% of his first serve points.
The semifinals saw Auger-Aliassime building on his strong performances from previous rounds, where he triumphed over notable players like Alexander Bublik and Marin Cilic. Notably, before reaching this point, Halys had pulled off stunning victories against other top competitors, including defeating World No. 9 Andrey Rublev. This made Auger-Aliassime's triumph even more commendable.
Looking forward, Auger-Aliassime's resolve remains strong. He stated during his preliminary press engagements, "I am putting in a lot of effort, and it is paying off. I try to keep my composure, stay positive through tough moments, and believe I will find solutions as matches progress." His strategic approach has shown results, particularly after recovering from injuries and setbacks last season, and he is eager to continue this upward trend.
Ambitious about his future, Auger-Aliassime has openly discussed his aspirations to break closer to the ATP top 10 and qualify for the ATP Finals later this year—a significant milestone for any player. "Gradually, I hope by the end of this year, I will get closer to the top 10, hopefully even Turin. It would be a great year," he conveyed. His aspirations reflect not just personal ambition but also the consistent support of his coaching team, which he acknowledges plays a pivotal role.
With the finals now set, Auger-Aliassime will face either fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or Tallon Griekspoor. Whichever opponent he faces, the Canadian will bring with him not just optimism but also proven strategies honed from his recent matches. The anticipation builds as fans await what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
Having triumphed over adversity and established himself as one of the most formidable players on tour, Felix Auger-Aliassime continues to impress with his performance and dedication on the court. Capping off the finals with another win would solidify his place as one of the most exciting talents to watch this season and add yet another accolade to his remarkable year of tennis.