Auger-Aliassime advances in Dubai thriller as Draper marks strong return
Veteran Swiss star Wawrinka thrills fans with record-breaking win
DUBAI – Top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime brushed aside late-match frustration to begin his campaign at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a hard-fought victory on Monday.
The world No. 8 returned to the tournament determined to improve on last year’s runner-up finish and ultimately held firm in a tense encounter.
Elsewhere, Stan Wawrinka turned back the clock to make history, while British No. 1 Jack Draper celebrated a confident return from injury.
Opening test
Auger-Aliassime required six match points to finally see off China’s Zhizhen Zhang, sealing a 6-3, 7-6(4) win at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. The Canadian, who lost last year’s final to Stefanos Tsitsipas, safely progressed to Wednesday’s Round of 16 where he will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Despite the straight-sets scoreline, the contest was far from routine. Auger-Aliassime saved all four break points he faced but struggled to convert his chances late in the second set, missing two match points on return at 5-4 and three more at 6-5 before steadying himself in the tiebreak.
“It’s the right timing,” he said afterwards, reflecting on the pressure of arriving as one of the title contenders. The 25-year-old added that he relishes testing his growth, self-belief and composure in big moments.
French challenge
Next up for the top seed is Mpetshi Perricard, who survived a gripping three-set battle against Tunisian wildcard Moez Echargui, the Arab world’s highest-ranked player on the ATP Tour at No141.
All three sets were decided by tiebreaks before the Frenchman edged through 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 7-6(4). The physically demanding contest took its toll, with Mpetshi Perricard requiring medical timeouts for ankle pain and later admitting he was “not very confident” about his recovery ahead of the next round.
For the 33-year-old Echargui, however, February continues to signal progress. After making his ATP 500 debut in Doha last week, the Tunisian described his Centre Court appearance in Dubai as part of an important learning phase.
“Going on Centre Court and playing against top players is where we want to be,” he said, adding that he remains proud to represent Tunisia and the Arab world despite the narrow defeat.
Veteran milestone
Lebanese wildcard Benjamin Hassan also featured on the opening day but fell in straight sets to three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka. The Swiss veteran prevailed 7-5, 6-3 to become the oldest player to win a match in the tournament’s 34-year history.
Wawrinka, the 2016 Dubai champion, delivered a clinical serving display that included nine aces and no dropped service games. Hassan, ranked No289 and making his tournament debut, nevertheless pushed the former world No. 3 by forcing three break points and competing strongly in key moments.
The match carried extra significance with Roger Federer watching from the stands.
Hassan later revealed he only learned of Federer’s presence after the match and joked he would never wash the hand the 20-time Grand Slam winner shook in congratulations.
Wawrinka, meanwhile, joked about surpassing Federer’s previous age record at the event as the Swiss legend applauded from courtside.
Draper returns
In the final Centre Court match, British No. 1 Jack Draper marked his return to the Tour after eight months out with a recurring arm injury. The fourth seed showcased a revised serving motion and struck 13 aces in a 7-6(8), 6-3 victory over French qualifier Quentin Halys.
Draper admitted to early nerves but expressed pride at competing again after an extended rehabilitation period. The left-hander had risen as high as world No4 last June before injuries interrupted his momentum.
“It wasn’t my cleanest performance, but after all this time I’m really proud of myself,” he said, noting the contrast between recent practice sessions and playing in front of a full crowd.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, runs until Saturday. Tickets remain available starting from Dh65.