Felix Auger-Aliassime is charging through Dubai like someone rewound last year’s final and decided to get even.
The top seed beat Jiri Lehecka to move into the semi-finals, dispatching him 6-3, 7-6(2) and extending a blistering February that has produced an 11-1 record and his third straight tour-level semi-final.
Auger-Aliassime’s form and the match that mattered
“We have very different game styles.”
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Auger-Aliassime arrived in Dubai playing freely and with momentum after winning in Montpellier and finishing runner-up in Rotterdam, and he has not dropped a set through three matches at the ATP 500 event while saving both break points he faced according to Infosys ATP Stats.
What the numbers say about the run
The Canadian’s week included a straight-sets victory over Lehecka and a calm, efficient performance that keeps him on track; the scoreline of 6-3, 7-6(2) is tidy, and that form makes him one of the most dangerous players in Dubai this week.
He is competing as the top seed at an event above ATP 250 for the first time in his career and is now two wins away from a chance to rewrite last year’s story when he lost the Dubai final to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Auger-Aliassime faces third seed Daniil Medvedev in Friday’s semi-final, a heavyweight clash on paper as Medvedev holds a 7-2 edge in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series and historically had the upper hand with a 0-7 run against Felix between 2018 and 2024.
Medvedev’s momentum and a familiar opponent
Medvedev opened the quarter-final slate with a clinical 6-2, 6-1 victory over Jenson Brooksby to book his semi-final spot, and the former World No. 1 is using steady late-season form to push toward a Top 10 return in 2026.
The Russian reflected honestly on consistency, saying that sometimes he needs to clear his head to play freely, and his recent résumé includes back-to-back semi-finals in Beijing and Shanghai and a title in Almaty as he chases more momentum.
Medvedev’s ranking chase is close enough to feel real; he opened 2026 with a Brisbane title and presently trails No. 10 Alexander Bublik by 345 points in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, which makes every deep run especially valuable.
Auger-Aliassime has made a point of studying the tactical chess of facing Medvedev, saying he will try to come forward while Medvedev will try to make him miss, and he added that it took him seven or eight tries before finally beating the Russian in the past.
Off court, the tournament enjoyed a visit from Roger Federer, and Auger-Aliassime publicly thanked Federer for an important early-career moment, recalling that Federer invited him to practise in Dubai when he was 17 and that he will always be grateful for that opportunity.
That Federer connection added a sentimental seasoning to an otherwise businesslike week, reminding fans that the sport’s present and past sometimes meet courtside and that small gestures can ripple through a player’s career trajectory.
For historical context among his generation, Auger-Aliassime ranks behind only Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for most tour-level semi-finals among players born since 2000, with 42 semi-finals compared to Alcaraz’s 46 and Sinner’s 45, which underscores his consistency on tour.
This semi-final carries undeniable stakes: a win would put Auger-Aliassime one step from the Dubai final and leave him just two victories away from avenging last year’s title match loss, while a loss would hand Medvedev another step toward regaining top form and climbing back into the Top 10.
Expect a tactical battle where Felix will press forward and try to disrupt Medvedev’s rhythm, and where Daniil will look to use depth and angles to force errors; on a good day, either player can make his plan pay and reach the Dubai final.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
