The stakes are high for both players. Stefanos Tsitsipas (6th) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (18th) are facing each other in the final for the first time on the Tour. On one side, the Greek will try to emulate Marc Rosset and Thomas Enqvist, the only players who have managed to win twice in a row at the Provence Open 13. On the other hand, the Canadian, who is playing in his second consecutive Tour final, would like to win the first title of his career.
Tsitsipas, the world number 6, has not yet lost a set this week and is unflappable: " Against Bublik in the semi-final, I found the balance and didn't panic when it got tensehe explained after his qualification. I managed to stay focused, to stay in the game by playing all the points in the same way. "
Since his arrival in Marseille, the defending champion has liked to insist on these crucial elements, which he believes contribute greatly to his current good form. Tsitsipas has not forgotten that the Open 13 Provence was one of the first tournaments to give him a chance in 2017. His victory in 2019 came at the right time during a period of doubt. In short, the link between Marseille and the Greek player is there, which no doubt also explains the fervour of the public towards him.
The first of many?
However, this second final in Marseille will not be easy for him. While Tsitsipas beat the unexpected Mikhail Kukushkin in 2019, the context is very different this time. It is an old acquaintance who will be facing him today on the court of the Palais des Sports.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime have often crossed paths on the junior circuit where "FAA" used to have the upper hand. Auger-Aliassime also has the advantage (2-1) in their head-to-head meetings. However, he came back from a difficult situation all week, even saving match points in the first and second rounds, and he knows that the wheel can turn either way. It's the first time we're in the final on the circuitFélix Auger-Aliassime was delighted after his victory. It's really nice, it says a lot about our level and our characters. I hope it will be the first of many. He's got more experience, he's won titles, he's won the Masters, so it's not a small thing. But the fact that he has more experience won't change anything for me. "
The Canadian, who will be playing in his second consecutive final on the circuit, the fifth of his career, does not want to focus on the fact that he has never won at this stage...
