Bolelli and Vavassori fuel Turin fire for semifinal push
In the roar of their home arena, Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori converted crowd passion and tactical grit into a decisive win at the Nitto ATP Finals, securing a knockout berth while building unbreakable momentum.
Under the bright lights of Turin’s Inalpi Arena, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori channeled the electric hum of a nation into a commanding performance, downing Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6(4), 6-4 to clinch their semifinal spot at the Nitto ATP Finals. The Italians, riding a wave of home support after dismantling top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool in their opener, extended their flawless run in just 1 hour and 35 minutes, a sharp contrast to last year’s round-robin exit. This victory not only locked in their knockout progression but also swelled the crowd’s chants, turning the arena into a cauldron of anticipation for deeper runs.
Navigating pressure with precise returns
The duo’s preparation shone through in their adapted play on the indoor hard courts, where quick bounces demand sharp reflexes and varied depths. Drawing from a 2025 season marked by titles in Adelaide, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Washington, they posted a 37-20 record that reflected surface versatility, now honed for this finale’s tempo. Against Granollers and Zeballos, they mixed crosscourt rallies to stretch the net, inserting inside-out forehands to disrupt patterns and force unforced errors in longer exchanges.
At 4-4 in the first set, Vavassori, serving under mounting pressure, erased three break points with deep underspin serves that pulled opponents wide, buying time to reset. The turning point arrived in the tie-break, where his blistering backhand return winner ignited the crowd and forged a 4-2 lead the pair never lost, carrying psychological momentum into a second-set break sealed by a down-the-line pass. This resilience improved their head-to-head with the Spanish-Argentine duo to 3-2, underscoring how seasonal experience has forged tactical poise under the lights.
“it’s an amazing feeling,” Bolelli said. “We had the opportunity to play last year. This year I think we came here more prepared, more focused. The crowd is unbelievable. I think we played two really good matches, especially today I think we played even better than the first one.”
“I think the atmosphere was unbelievable. These two matches, I have enjoyed a lot,” said Vavassori. “I think it was one of the best atmospheres I have ever played in. I’m always trying to raise the crowd in a respectful way, but trying to bring more energy. I think doubles also needs that because it’s very fast. I think people also enjoy watching doubles live.”
🇮🇹 F-O-R-Z-A 🇮🇹
Next stop for @BolelliSimone and Andrea Vavassori — semi-finals #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/HHOAqIG3FK— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 11, 2025
Amplifying energy in the Peter Fleming Group
Unbeaten at 2-0 in the Peter Fleming Group, with all four sets claimed without concession, the Italians have transformed last year’s disappointment into a statement of intent, their one–two combinations quickening under the crowd’s pulse. Vavassori’s local roots amplified every point, as cheers rippled through holds and returns, feeding a rhythm that mirrors the format’s brisk pace. This home advantage, woven into their net approaches and serve-volley rushes, has elevated doubles from sidelight to spectacle, drawing fans deeper into the fray.
The win’s emotional lift extends beyond the scoreboard, as the pair’s focus—sharpened by a year of high-stakes adaptation—positions them to thrive in the knockout phase. Bolelli’s steady presence at net complemented Vavassori’s fiery baseline drives, creating openings that the veterans across the net couldn’t fully counter. As the arena’s energy lingers in the air, their journey reflects a broader arc: turning collective expectation into individual fire.
Eyes on Thursday’s champion challenge
Ahead lies a final round-robin test on Thursday against defending champions Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, where the Germans’ flat baseline game will probe for weaknesses on these skidding courts. Yet, with semifinal security already in hand, Bolelli and Vavassori approach the matchup with loosened shoulders, ready to experiment with more aggressive inside-in shots and varied serves to build rhythm. Their unbeaten streak hints at untapped potential, as home soil continues to sharpen edges for what could become a historic Turin tale.
The crowd’s unrelenting support has become integral to their strategy, quickening transitions and bolstering resolve in tight moments, much like the fast volleys that define elite doubles. As they step forward, this semifinal surge promises to keep the Inalpi Arena buzzing, with every point a step toward etching their names deeper into the season’s climax.
