Stefanos Tsitsipas reached his 30th career final after defeating Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 6-4. The Greek seems to have rediscovered his form at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and will play his first hardcourt final in 18 months.
It had been a while since Tsitsipas had played with conviction for several consecutive matches, but this week, he already eliminated Lorenzo Sonego, Karen Khachanov, Matteo Berrettini, and now Griekspoor, putting himself just one step away from his 12th title.
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First Set
Tsitsipas (No. 11) was nearly flawless on serve in the opening set, winning 93% of points on his first serve and 60% on his second, while also firing four aces. Thanks to this efficiency, the 26-year-old never faced a break point. Griekspoor (No. 47), on the other hand, remained steady for most of the set without major trouble.
At 3-3, Tsitsipas earned his first break opportunities but failed to convert. However, it was a warning sign of what was to come in Griekspoor’s next service game, where the Greek created another break point—and this time, he took it. Tsitsipas then comfortably closed out the set 6-4 after 43 minutes.
Second Set
Tsitsipas kept his composure and maintained his serving rhythm, conceding just five points on serve throughout the entire second set. Griekspoor improved his first serve percentage to 84% but struggled significantly on his second serve, winning only 33% of those points.
Tsitsipas won his last title at Monte-Carlo Masters - April, 2024
At 1-1, Tsitsipas earned an early break opportunity and swiftly capitalized. Once ahead, there were no closely contested games, as both players held serve with ease. The Greek displayed strong mental fortitude—an area where he has faltered in the past when trying to close out matches. This time, he stayed solid and secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Tsitsipas returns to an ATP final, his first on hard courts since August 2023, when he won the Los Cabos Open against Alex de Minaur. A victory in Dubai would propel him back into the top 10 after several months outside the elite rankings.
However, Tsitsipas carries a particularly negative record when it comes to ATP 500 events—he has reached 11 finals at this level without ever lifting the trophy. Will Dubai be his chance to finally break the curse? He will face Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime for the title, holding a 6-3 lead in their head-to-head, including a 1-1 record in finals.
Match Statistics Griekspoor vs. Tsitsipas
| Griekspoor | VS | Tsitsipas |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 6 | Aces | 7 |
| 1 | Double Faults | 2 |
| 69% (45/65) | 1st Service Percentage | 64% (32/50) |
| 71% (32/45) | 1st Service Points Won | 91% (29/32) |
| 50% (10/20) | 2nd Service Points Won | 61% (11/18) |
| 50% (2/4) | Break Points Saved | - (0/0) |
| 80% (8/10) | Service Games | 100% (10/10) |
| Return | ||
| 9% (3/32) | 1st Return Points Won | 29% (13/45) |
| 39% (7/18) | 2nd Return Points Won | 50% (10/20) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 1h 23m | Match Duration | 1h 23m |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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