Finally Felix! Auger-Aliassime downs Tsitsipas for first ATP Tour title – at the ninth attempt

The Canadian finally got his name on a winner’s trophy with a brilliant performance to deny Tsitsipas a first ATP 500 title

AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Simon Cambers

February 13, 2022

Good things come to those who wait.

After eight finals and eight defeats, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime finally got his name on a trophy as he outplayed world No 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-2 to win the ABN/AMRO World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam.

The world No 9 broke in the first game of both sets as he clinched a victory that he celebrated with a gutteral roar, a leap into the air and a big fist pump, before speaking to his father in a video call by the side of the court.

“It’s not been the smoothest road since I reached my first final three years ago,” Auger-Aliassime said. “It’s an amazing day for me to get this first title. It’s the happiest day of my career and hopefully the first of many to come.”

He’s done it! 🤩

Felix Auger-Aliassime has won his first career title, defeating Tsitsipas in the #abnamrowtt final: 6-4 6-2. 🎉 🎊

What a story for the 21-year-old, capturing his first singles 🏆 at the tournament where he made his ATP debut in 2018 as a 🚾. 😍 pic.twitter.com/w1LxFScoYP
— ABN AMRO Open (@abnamroopen) February 13, 2022

Auger-Aliassime had not even won a set in his eight finals going into Sunday’s clash with Tsitsipas.

Auger-Aliassime’s past final defeats

2019: Rio de Janeiro, Stuttgart, Lyon
2020: Rotterdam, Marseille, Cologne
2021: Melbourne 2, Stuttgart

But in the past year he has grown in confidence, reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, semi-finals at the US Open and quarter-finals at the Australian Open.

And right from the start it was clear he meant business as he broke in the first game. Auger-Alliassime served brilliantly, dropping just two points on serve as he maintained his advantage to take the opening set.

Off to a flying start 🙌@felixtennis leads Tsitsipas in the Rotterdam final taking the first set 6-4!#abnamrowtt pic.twitter.com/ca21CiRUJE
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 13, 2022

Tsitsipas would have been looking for a fast start to the second set but again Auger-Aliassime struck, breaking the Greek to love and extending his lead to 2-0.

World No 4 Tsitsipas, in his first final since Roland-Garros last summer, saved two break points to get on the board at 1-2 but a second break for 4-1 gave Auger-Aliassime some breathing space and he served out to love as Tsitsipas’ forehand landed wide.

The Greek’s quest for an ATP 500 title goes on; he’s now 0-8 in ATP 500 finals.