Canada's Auger-Aliassime fights back to reach Dubai final, chance for 3rd title of 2025
Montreal native battled past France's Halys in 3 sets, set to face Greece's Tsitsipas on Saturday
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime will play for his third title of 2025 after downing French qualifier Quentin Halys 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinal at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Friday.
The 24-year-old, who already claimed titles in Adelaide and Montpellier this season, saved three set points in the opening set before taking control in the second, breaking Halys's serve at a crucial moment.
It was one of his four break-point conversions out of seven chances in the match as he powered through the deciding set, saving both break points faced.
Auger-Aliassime, the world No. 21, fired 10 aces to Halys's five.
"I don't know how I pulled it through today," Auger-Aliassime said post-match. "I only played three-setters this week, we were both feeling a bit tired, I think. It was just [about] having positive self talk, I think everyone can relate.
"When we're having a tough day, just to have a pep talk and stay positive. I did that well and dug deep physically, so I'm really happy it paid off today."
WATCH | Auger-Aliassime advances to Dubai final in three sets:
The victory marked his 16th win of 2025, the most on Tour. He entered the Dubai event coming off a semifinal loss to Russian Audrey Rublev at the Qatar Open.
"It's never easy, coming from Doha you feel a bit tired," Auger-Aliassime said post-match when asked of his standout start to the season. "But it's the same challenge for everyone, that's what is interesting.
He will face 11th-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in Saturday's final.
The fourth-seeded Tsitsipas defeated Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands 6-4, 6-4 in Friday's other semifinal.
Auger-Aliassime and Tsitsipas have met nine times, with Tsitsipas leading 6-3.
The 26-year-old Tsitsipas triumphed in their most recent meeting, the second round of the 2023 Paris Masters.
Prior to that, Auger-Aliassime claimed his first ATP Tour singles title by defeating Tsitsipas in straight sets in the 2022 Rotterdam Open final.
