Auger-Aliassime comes through Borges test, sets up Cilic meeting in last eight

Felix Auger-Aliassime edged out Portuguese Nuno Borges 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to reach the last 8 of the Dubai Open at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre.

The Canadian continues his fine form so far this year, reaching his fourth quarter-final in six tournaments and having already claimed two titles this season. It is a remarkable resurgence for a player who struggled throughout 2024 with form and fitness.

But Auger-Aliassime was made to work hard for this win by the ever dangerous Borges, with the Portuguese putting in an impressive showing to produce a close contest.

Borges took the first set to apply pressure on the world No 21. But Auger-Aliassime responded excellently, breaking three times in total to take the second and then striking late to clinch the third and move into yet another quarter-final this year.

Auger-Aliassime, ranked No 21, will play Croat Marin Cilic next.

In the previous round of the Dubai tournament, the Canadian beat Kazakh Alexander Bublik (7-6 (7), 6-7 (4), 6-3).

Borges, ranked No 38, won against Frenchman Arthur Fils, the No 8 seed (6-2, 6-1) during the first round of the Dubai tournament.

Dubai ATP 500, other second-round results (Aviation Club Tennis Centre, hard, USD 3.237.670, most recent results first):

• Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Karen Khachanov
• Matteo Berrettini vs. Christopher O’Connell
• Daniil Medvedev vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
• Roberto Bautista Agut vs. Quentin Halys
• Luca Nardi vs. Zizou Bergs
• Tallon Griekspoor vs. Ugo Humbert
• Marin Cilic beat Alexei Popyrin: 5-7, 6-3, 6-4