Something will have to give when Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime battle for the title at the ABN AMO World Tennis Tournament on Sunday. Auger-Aliassime is an almost hard-to-believe 0-8 lifetime in ATP finals; Tsitsipas is 0-7 in his career in 500-point finals. One man is finally going to end his skid on the indoor hard courts of Rotterdam.
Tsitsipas has already made it one step farther than he did last year. The fourth-ranked Greek lost to Andrey Rublev in the 2021 semifinals, but he is through to the title match this time around following victories over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Ilya Ivashka, Alex de Minaur, and Jiri Lehecka. Thus continues momentum from a semifinal run at the Australian Open as early-season elbow questions are now most definitely a thing of the past.
Auger-Aliassime is also red hot to begin his 2022 campaign. The ninth-ranked Canadian led his country to the ATP Cup title before making a run to the Aussie Open quarterfinals (lost to Daniil Medevedev after having match point; Medvedev then beat Tsitsipas in the semis). So far in Rotterdam Auger-Aliassime has knocked off Egor Gerasimov, Andy Murray, Cameron Norrie, and defending champion Andrey Rublev.
There is no doubt that a title is coming soon for Auger-Aliassime, who is playing the best tennis of his life. But considering his history of struggles at the last hurdle, it’s hard to back him until he actually wins one. The mental block of his finals record is tough to overcome, and so is Tsitsipas–who has won five straight in the head-to-head series.
As if Tsitsipas needs any extra help, the Rotterdam court surface is playing as slow as clay. All things considered, the top seed will likely have the edge on Sunday–but it should be a fun final.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 3
Just watched FAA clobber Tsit., no other word, and claim his first ATP tour title. Huge congrats to him.
Amy: We “talked” about how important ROS is and I was so impressed with Felix’s.
Onwards and upwards for him now, I hope.
Is Felix about to have a big breakthrough year Margot? It sure feels like it.
As you say,an excellent ROS is rare.
Grats on Wales beating Scotland yesterday Margot. Although I shouted with frustration when Biggar dropped a goal when Russell had just been yellow carded and they were camped on the try line.
Great game between France and Ireland who are a cut above the other teams right now…
Allez les Bleus..!
FAA was phenomenal in that match. He could do no wrong making Tsitsipas look helpless. FAA has got a lot of weapons and when they are on target he is dangerous.
Felix’ serve was cooking. Guess his df woes are behind him. I’m giving Uncle Toni a lot of credit here. 🙂