Tsitsipas, FAA to fight for desert trophy

Stefanos Tsitsipas will seek his first title in 11 months as the two-time Dubai finalist faces off against Felix Auger-Aliassime in Saturday’s final at the 500 event.

The 11th-ranked Greek who finished runner-up to Roger Federer here in 2019 and matches that a year later against Novak Djokovic, spent just 83 minutes in overwhelming Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 6-4, with the Dutchman treated after the first set on his right hip.

Griekspoor was less than 24 hours removed from his quarter-final upset of top seeded Daniil Medvedev where he saved four match points.

Tsitsipas won his last title in Monte Carlo – his third there – last April and has not triumphed on hardcourt since Los Cabos in 2023.

“I feel extremely happy that I was able to avoid the drama today, and play good tennis from the beginning until the end,” Tsitsipas said.

“I was doing a great job from the baseline; I felt that my focus levels were at their highest so far, from any match I’ve played this week.”

Tsitsipas won his 14th Dubai match, an event he has not played in five years.

The winner of 11 ATP titles and one-time world No. 3 added: “I’m trying to take the best out of every match (this season).

“Every match has something new to offer me in terms of experience and knowledge, I’m trying to soak it all in and use that wisdom effectively.”

A win over Auger-Aliassime – the Greek owns that series 6-3 – would send Tsitsipas back into the ranking top 10 for the first time since June.

Main photo:- Felix Auger Alliassime will meet Stefanos Tsistsipas in Dubai final- by ATPTour.com