Stefanos Tsitsipas has to be one of the most inconsistent players on the ATP tour. There is nothing wrong with his skill level. He is potentially terrific, but he also has to be playing his best to have any chance of winning. The difference between his top-form and his second-best is vast.
Felix Auger-Aliassime has been a good player but never consistently great. Unlike other players of his generation, such as Jannik Sinner, the 24-year-old Canadian has failed to ascend from his earlier success. He has won seven titles in his career but only won one in 2023 and 2024 combined. This year, though, has been a bit different.
Auger-Aliassime has brought home two titles, but both were at 250 events. He won the Adelaide tournament to start the year, including defeating Tommy Paul in the semifinals, and he won in Montpellier, too. Still, he did not defeat anyone ranked higher than 71 on his path to the title.
A guess at who will win the Dubai Tennis Championships between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime
Tsitsipas is the better-skilled player when he faces Auger-Aliassime in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Saturday. That does not mean the Greek will win, though. The beginning of the match should tell us a lot. Is Tsitsipas the same player who got bounced out in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open, or is he in the form he was when he defeated a solid Talon Griekspoor in straight sets in the semifinals in Dubai?
To be sure, Auger-Aliassime has had a somewhat easier run to the final. He also has allowed every match to go to three sets. By far, Tsitsipas will be the most talented player he has faced in the tournament.
If the Greek can begin the match by landing his first serve consistently, he should be able to put himself in a position to dictate how the match goes. If he begins by defeating himself and allowing Auger-Aliassime to tee off on Tsitsipas's second serve, watch out.
If the Canadian wins, the match will likely go three sets. The guess here, however, is that Tsitsipas is beginning to get his confidence back and wins the final in straight sets.
You can watch and stream the final on the Tennis Channel in the United States (start time is 10 am ET) and Sky in the UK (start time 3 pm London time).