The much-awaited Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships blockbuster has come to its summit clash, and the challenge looks promising. The title decider will see fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas lock horns with Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday, March 1. It will also mark the end of the Middle East swing, which has witnessed some scintillating tennis over the last three weeks. With the stage set for the summit, who will walk away with this ATP 500 title?

Tsitsipas vs Auger-Aliassime: Preview

The ‘Greek God’ of tennis arrived in Dubai on the back of an average start to the season. Tsitsipas kicked off his campaign by dispatching Lorenzo Sonego 6-4(4), 6-3 and extended his streak against Karen Khachanov in R16 and an in-form Matteo Berrettini in the QF. But his most straightforward win of the week came against Tallon Griekspoor as he ended the Dutchman’s run in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime commenced his Dubai quest with a hard-fought victory over Alexander Bulbik, 7-6(7), 6-7(4), 6-3. He then overturned a comeback effort by Nuno Borges in the second round and had to stage a similar performance against Marin Cilic to advance to the semifinals. The Canadian sensation squared off against qualifier Quentin Halys for a place in the summit clash, and despite facing resistance, he effectively came out on top to register a comeback win 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

Tsitsipas vs Aliassime: Head-to-Head

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime have clashed nine times on the tour, with their first encounter dating back to 2019. The duo last met at the 2023 Paris Masters, where the Greek star emerged victorious in straight sets. Tsitsipas leads their head-to-head 6-3 and the pair’s final round clash in Dubai will count as their tenth match-up.

• 2023 Paris Masters, R32: Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(4)
• 2022 Rotterdam, Final: Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2
• 2021 Cincinnati, QF: Tsitsipas 6-2, 5-7, 6-1
• 2021 Barcelona, QF: Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-3
• 2021 Acapulco, QF: Tsitsipas 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
• 2020 Marseille, Final: Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4
• 2019 Shanghai Masters, R32: Tsitsipas 7-6(3), 7-6(3)
• 2019 Queen’s Club, QF: Auger-Aliassime 7-5, 6-2
• 2019 Indian Wells, R32: Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 6-2

Prediction: Felix-Auger Aliassime to win in three sets

Prior to his campaign in Dubai, Tsitsipas’s 2025 season was more of a mixed bag. The Greek sensation suffered a major dip in form following the split from his father Apostoles as a coach last year. He commenced the year at the Australian Open, where he faced an opening round exit. The former World No. 3 then finished as a quarterfinalist in Rotterdam but had to endure another premature exit in Qatar. However, the 26-year-old seems to have regained his form on the hardcourts of Dubai.

The Greek talent has recorded a jaw-dropping 83.25 first serve win percentage this week, and his versatile on-court play is finally on display again. An aggressive baseliner, Tsitsipas’ commanding hold of the groundstrokes usually proves a nightmare for many, but Auger-Aliassime isn’t playing around either.

The Canadian has had an impressive season so far. He kicked off the calendar year with a title finish in Adelaide. Though he couldn’t make a deep run in Melbourne, the young talent later lifted the title in Montpellier (Open Occitanie). The World No. 21 made his way to Dubai after a semifinal finish in Qatar as well. So, his gameplay has been largely consistent.

Auger-Aliassime has averaged 11 aces per match in 2025, and his counter-punching style has found adequate footing in the hardcourt season. However, his impressive standing during pressure points and the current circumstances indicate that he might overpower the Greek star in Dubai.

With Tsitsipas still finding his best form, the final round of the Dubai Open should see Auger-Aliassime come on top for his third title of the 2025 season.