DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Felix Auger-Aliassime began his quest for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title with a hard-fought victory Monday, overcoming Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, 7-6(4). The Canadian, seeded eighth in the tournament, needed six match points to secure the win, a testament to Zhang’s resilience and a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in the ATP 500 event. This year marks Auger-Aliassime’s first time entering a tournament above ATP 250 level as the top seed, adding another layer of expectation to his performance.
Auger-Aliassime’s path to the final isn’t without recent history. Twelve months ago, he reached the Dubai final only to be defeated by a determined Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 25-year-old is looking to finally claim the title this year, and his opening-round win is a positive step in that direction. The win too comes after a challenging start to the 2025 season, which saw him retire from his first-round match at the Australian Open against Nuno Borges in January.
“I stopped counting at some point, it was getting too frustrating,” Auger-Aliassime admitted, reflecting on the numerous opportunities he had to close out the match. “Having match points is the position you aim for to be in as a player, but it’s weird how the mind plays a trick on you. How much further I am from losing than he is, he should be the one that’s tight. But I told myself ‘If there is a third set, I’ll be there’.”
Despite the mental hurdle of converting match points, Auger-Aliassime demonstrated strong form, having won nine of his past ten matches. This run of success includes a trophy in Montpellier and a runner-up finish in Rotterdam, signaling a return to the level that saw him reach a career-high ranking of No. 5 in November 2025, according to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
A Resurgent Auger-Aliassime Faces a Tough Second Round
Auger-Aliassime’s ability to neutralize Zhang’s attack was key to his victory. According to Infosys ATP Stats, he saved all four break points he faced throughout the match. Although he struggled to convert his own opportunities – missing two match points on return at 5-4 and three more at 6-5 in the second set – he ultimately prevailed in the tie-break, showcasing his composure under pressure.
Standing between Auger-Aliassime and a place in the quarter-finals is Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who secured his first tour-level win in over a month on Monday. The French qualifier defeated Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 7-6(4) in a closely contested match. Mpetshi Perricard had previously been on a five-match tour-level losing streak, making this victory a significant boost to his confidence.
Wawrinka Continues to Defy Age, Federer Watches On
In other action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka continued his impressive run of form, defeating Benjamin Hassan 7-5, 6-3. The victory marked Wawrinka’s sixth consecutive opening-round win in Dubai. Adding to the occasion, Roger Federer, the tournament’s record eight-time champion, was present to watch his countryman compete.
Wawrinka’s win also highlighted his remarkable longevity in the sport. With this victory, he has now accumulated 10 tour-level wins since turning 40 – the most by any player in that age group in the Open Era. The Swiss veteran will next face third seed and 2023 champion Daniil Medvedev or Shang Juncheng.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships continues to deliver compelling matches, with Auger-Aliassime and Wawrinka leading the charge. Auger-Aliassime’s quest for his first Dubai title and Wawrinka’s continued success story are sure to captivate fans as the tournament progresses. The second round will observe Auger-Aliassime test himself against Mpetshi Perricard, while Wawrinka awaits the outcome of the match between Medvedev and Shang Juncheng.
Fans can stay updated on the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships through the official ATP Tour website: https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/dubai/495/overview. The tournament promises further exciting encounters as players battle for the coveted title.
