Felix Auger Aliassime put down an early rebellion from China’s Zhizhen Zhang on Monday to start his quest for a first title at the ATP Dubai event with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory.
The Canadian who lost the 2025 final against Stefanos Tsitsipas had to work hard in the opening against an opponent competing with a protected ranking as he makes a return from injury.
World No. 8 FAA has experienced his biggest success on hardcourt, winning all 10 of his ATP Tour titles on the surface.
The Canadian began the match with breaks in the first and final games of his Asian opponent to claim the opener.
The top seed sent over 11 aces but only broke serve twice from 11 chances. Zhang missed on four opportunities to get to the Canadian’s serve FAA clinched victory on his sixth match point
“I stopped counting at some point, it was getting too frustrating,”the winner said.
“Having match points is the position you want to be in as a player, but it’s weird how the mind plays a trick on you.
“How much further I am from losing than he is, he should be the one that’s tight. But I told myself ‘If there is a third set, I’ll be there’.”
He moves into a second-round match as the Canadian re-starts his game following a first-round exit last month at the Australian Open. he has won nine of his past 10 matches, including a title Montpellier and a Rotterdam runner-slot.
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