Auger-Aliassime powers to first ATP title

Felix Auger-Aliassime has at last won his first career title after eight losing finals as he upset top-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-2 to take the World Tennis Tournament crown in Rotterdam.

Victory at the indoor tournament in his ninth ATP final came as a huge relief for the 21-year-old Canadian after he lost out in so many showdowns going back to 2019.

"It has not been the smoothest road since my first final," Auger-Aliassime admitted after Sunday's win.

"It is an amazing day for me to get my first title and especially here. I played my first ATP main draw here a couple of years ago, so it is right I won my first title here."

The third-seeded Auger-Aliassime hit seven aces and won 93% of his first serve points, compared to just one ace for Tsitsipas, who was denied an eigth title.

The big-serving Greek was unusually poor on serve, while delivering four double faults and only 31 of 55 first serves. His second serve let him down, too, as he won just 33% of points from it.

It was Auger-Aliassime's third win in eight matches against Tsitsipas, and he did not face a break point in a dominant performance during which he broke Tsitsipas three times.

"He was playing very good tennis, producing good shots and serving incredibly well throughout the match. I wasn't able to respond," Tsitsipas said.

"I wasn't able to serve well today and my percentages were so low."