Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on February 23, 2026.

Top seed Felix Auger-Aliassime progressed to the Round of 16 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after defeating China’s Zhizhen Zhang in straight sets on Monday (February 23). The Canadian, ranked World No. 8, secured a 6-3, 7-6(4) victory at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, though it took six match points before he could close out the contest. Auger-Aliassime, who finished runner-up at the tournament last year after losing the final to Stefanos Tsitsipas, said he embraces the pressure of returning as top seed. “It’s the right timing,” he said post-match. “It’s not like it’s too soon for me. I’ve been on this Tour for quite some years now and been in this position as a teenager in Junior Grand Slams too, so I like to be in this position where there is pressure on me and to see if I deliver.” He added: “I am kind of testing my growth, self-belief, and composure – and I want to be in this position in even bigger tournaments one day.” Against Zhang, Auger-Aliassime saved all four break points he faced. However, he was unable to convert five match points before finally sealing victory in the tiebreak. “I stopped counting at some point; it was getting too frustrating,” he said. “It’s weird because having match points is the position you want to be in as a player, yet your mind plays a trick on you… But I kept telling myself if there’s a third set, I’ll be there.” He will next face France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the Round of 16. PIA/MFD/Expat Media
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