DUBAI — Top seed Félix Auger-Aliassime continued his strong form at the Dubai Tennis Championships, securing a place in the quarterfinals with a decisive 6-4, 6-4 victory over French qualifier Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Wednesday. The match showcased a compelling battle between two of the sport’s most powerful servers.
Despite being out-aced 11-8, Auger-Aliassime demonstrated resilience and tactical prowess. Mpetshi Perricard currently ranks second on the ATP Tour in average aces per match (13.6), while Auger-Aliassime holds a respectable 10th position (10.0) over the past year. However, Auger-Aliassime’s overall serving performance proved crucial to his win.
The world No. 8 impressively won 83% of his first service points and successfully defended against two out of three break points. Auger-Aliassime capitalized on his opportunities, breaking Mpetshi Perricard three times out of five attempts. A pivotal break in the first set, giving him a 5-4 lead, proved to be a turning point. This victory improved his head-to-head record against the Frenchman to 3-1.
With this win, Auger-Aliassime’s season record now stands at an impressive 11-3. He will next face eighth seed Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals. Auger-Aliassime has a 2-1 advantage in previous encounters against the 24-year-old Czech player, setting the stage for another exciting match.
This performance underscores Auger-Aliassime’s continued growth and potential as a leading figure in men’s tennis. Fans are eagerly anticipating his next challenge as he strives for the championship title in Dubai. For more information on the ATP Tour and Félix Auger-Aliassime’s career, visit the official ATP Tour website.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Feb. 25, 2026.
