Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers at the ATP level when they battle for the Open 13 title on Sunday afternoon.
This is one of the most well-documented rivalries among the contingent of promising youngsters on the pro tour, and it dates back much farther than to just their three main-tour meetings. Auger-Aliassime beat Tsitsipas in all three of their junior matches and then improved to 5-0 overall with victories last season at the Indian Wells Masters and Queen’s Club. After his fifth loss, the Greek basically said that Auger-Aliassime was the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Although it sounded like Tsitsipas was nothing short of hopeless both mentally and physically in this matchup, he finally got over the hump with a 7-6(3), 7-6(3) triumph at the 2019 Shanghai Masters.
The world No. 6 has been by far the best player so far in Marseille. He did not drop a set or even play a single tiebreaker while taking out Mikael Ymer, Vasek Pospisil, and Alexander Bublik to reach the title tilt.
“I really appreciate all the love that I receive here and tomorrow is an exciting day,” Tsitsipas said after beating Bublik. “I need to prepare, be ready for it, and I can’t wait to show an even better Stefanos tomorrow.”
Even the same Stefanos would be a considerable favorite on Sunday. Although Auger-Aliassime is suddenly in outstanding form on the heels of a rough end to 2019 and even rougher start to 2020, it has not been easy for him this week. The 19-year-old had to save match points against both Stefano Travaglia and Pierre-Hugues Herbert before getting the best of Egor Gerasimov and Gilles Simon in more routine fashion.
Auger-Aliassime is 0-4 lifetime in ATP finals after falling to Gael Monfils last weekend in Rotterdam. Whereas Tsitsipas once had the mental block in this matchup, Auger-Aliassime could be the one dealing with demons this time around.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 2
[crowdsignal poll=10509775]
WWW?
Felix to defeat Tsitsi in tight 2 sets to capture first title
Sisipas in three
two
Tsitsi in 2.
Sisipa in two (hope this post gets through,unlike all recent ones!)
Wow!