Felix Auger-Aliassime will seek his third ATP title of the season in Dubai! The Canadian faced Quentin Halys for the second straight week and prevailed 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in two hours and 16 minutes for a place in the title clash.
Felix delivered his 16th victory of the season, losing the opener but controlling the pace in sets two and three. The Canadian claimed four points more than the Frenchman. He played better on the first serve but struggled on the second.
Auger-Aliassime defended seven of nine break points and provided four breaks from seven opportunities.
Final bound 😛@felixtennis records his 16th win of 2025 as he defeats Halys 5-7 6-4 6-3 👏#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/HfDd7yjQP2
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 28, 2025
Felix landed 35 winners and errors, besting Quentin’s 16-34 ratio. They hit 68 service winners and stayed neck and neck from the baseline and at the net. The Canadian made the difference in the decider, providing two breaks and moving over the top.
They traded breaks at love in games four and five of the opener. Auger-Aliassime served to stay in the set at 4-5 and faced three set points. The Canadian denied them, two with winners, and landed a service winner for 5-5.
Quentin Halys & Felix Auger-Aliassime, Dubai 2025© Stream screenshot
Felix struggled again at 5-6. He squandered a game point and sprayed a forehand error on the set point, propelling Quentin 7-5 in front after 54 minutes. Auger-Aliassime grabbed a break in the fifth game of the second set after drawing Halys’ half-volley error.
The Canadian held at 15 in the next one to open a 4-2 advantage. Felix closed the eighth game at love and served for the set at 5-4. He saved two break points with service winners and converted the second set point with another, leveling the overall score after an hour and 37 minutes.
Felix Auger-Aliassime, Dubai 2025© Stream screenshot
The better-ranked player made a push on the return at 1-1 in the third set and provided a break at love following the rival’s backhand error. Halys saved two more break points in the fifth game and generated two chances on the return at 2-3.
Auger-Aliassime saved them with winners and held after the rival’s loose forehand for a 4-2 advantage. The Canadian fired an ace in the eighth game and moved 5-3 up. He made a push on the return in the next one and painted a forehand down the line winner for two match points.
Felix landed a backhand crosscourt winner on the first, moving over the top and reaching his third ATP final of the season.
Tennis World USA