KEY POINTS
- Top-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Jiri Lehecka in straight sets to reach the semi-finals in Dubai.
- The Canadian star utilized a powerful serve to record 16 aces during the two-set match.
- Auger-Aliassime will next face third seed Daniil Medvedev in a high-profile final-four clash.
Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his exceptional run of form on Thursday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The top-seeded Canadian secured a place in the semi-finals by defeating eighth-seeded Jiri Lehecka. Auger-Aliassime controlled the match from the outset to earn a 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory. This win marks his 11th victory in his last 12 matches during a dominant February stretch.
The world number eight relied heavily on his serve to dictate the pace of the contest. He compiled a significant 16-7 advantage in aces over his Czech opponent throughout the two sets. Lehecka struggled to find answers for the Canadian’s power and failed to break serve a single time. Auger-Aliassime’s consistency in high-pressure moments allowed him to maintain momentum despite a competitive second set.
After a relatively comfortable opening set, the second frame proved to be a tighter affair. Both players held their service games with discipline, leading to a decisive tiebreak. Auger-Aliassime elevated his level during the shootout to quickly pull away from Lehecka. He surrendered only two points in the tiebreak to seal the match in straight sets.
This victory brings Auger-Aliassime one step closer to redeeming his 2025 performance in Dubai. Last year, the Canadian reached the final but fell just short of claiming the trophy. His current form suggests he is a primary contender to go one step further this season. He has already reached two finals this month, including a title win in Montpellier.
The semi-final lineup features some of the most prominent names in professional tennis. Auger-Aliassime is scheduled to face third-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev on Friday. Medvedev advanced to the final four after a commanding 6-2, 6-1 win over Jenson Brooksby. The matchup between Auger-Aliassime and Medvedev is expected to be a highlight of the tournament.
On the other side of the bracket, Andrey Rublev also secured his place in the semi-finals. The fifth-seeded Russian defeated Arthur Rinderknech in straight sets earlier in the day. Rublev will compete against Tallon Griekspoor for the remaining spot in the championship match. Griekspoor earned his position by ousting the sixth-seeded Jakub Mensik in a three-set battle.
The tournament in Dubai remains one of the most prestigious stops on the ATP 500 circuit. Fans have witnessed several upsets and high-quality performances throughout the week in the United Arab Emirates. With the field narrowed down to the final four, the intensity is expected to rise further. The winner of this event will gain significant momentum heading into the spring masters tournaments.
