Bolelli and Vavassori return to Turin’s doubles stage

In the shadowed intensity of the Paris Masters, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori advanced to the second round, clinching their spot at the Nitto ATP Finals for another season on home soil. The weight of pioneering Italy’s doubles presence since the event’s 2021 shift to Turin adds layers to their preparation, transforming routine matches into national statements. As they gear up for the Inalpi Arena’s roar, their partnership—forged in pressure and polished across surfaces—promises to challenge the field’s elite with renewed precision.

Blazing trails through early triumphs

The pair launched 2025 with nine consecutive victories, capturing the Adelaide title on hard courts where deep serves set up crosscourt volleys that pinned opponents deep. That surge propelled them to the Australian Open final, their one–two patterns of baseline redirects and net poaches echoing through Melbourne’s packed stands, though the crown eluded them in a grueling finish. Psychologically, this opening run built a foundation of trust, with Bolelli’s steady presence guiding Vavassori through the mental shifts demanded by escalating expectations.

Rotterdam’s indoor hard courts yielded another trophy, as their inside-out forehands exploited the pace to create passing lanes down-the-line. Hamburg’s clay tested their adaptability, favoring underspin slices to disrupt rallies and draw errors from power players. These early successes not only stacked points but instilled a quiet confidence, turning the duo into Italy’s beacon amid a tour dominated by international pairings.

Midseason titles sharpen tactical edge

Washington’s humid hard courts brought a third title, where short-angled returns forced rivals into vulnerable positions, allowing Vavassori‘s aggressive approaches to finish points at net. The Halle final on grass honed their low-bounce volleys and serve-and-volley rushes, nearly toppling a seeded team before a narrow defeat. Bolelli‘s third Nitto ATP Finals appearance, recalling his 2015 London run alongside Fabio Fognini, brings matchup wisdom that steadies them during tight sets, while Vavassori’s second outing reflects his growth into a strategic force.

Four ATP Tour crowns this season underscore their versatility, from Rotterdam’s quick redirects to Hamburg’s prolonged exchanges built on topspin loops. The psychological toll of being Italy’s sole representatives since Turin’s arrival weighs heavy, yet it fuels their resolve, each title a step toward silencing skeptics. As the year-end draw nears, their bond—tested by slumps and celebrated in victories—positions them to thrive under the Inalpi Arena’s partisan energy.

Last berth ignites qualification chase

With only one doubles spot left at the Nitto ATP Finals, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool‘s baseline synergy joins Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic‘s endurance, Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos‘s net command, Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten‘s fresh momentum, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski‘s precision, and Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz‘s returns in the qualified field. Christian Harrison and Evan King hold the final position after a first-round Paris exit, their power-finesse mix keeping the math precarious. For Bolelli and Vavassori, this return means dissecting these rivals’ patterns—countering Arevalo’s lefty spins with crosscourt angles or Patten’s drives via timely lobs.

The Turin spotlight amplifies every tactic, from inside-in winners to slice disruptions, as home crowds convert doubt into drive. Their season’s arc, marked by redemption’s pull after last year’s semis, sets a stage where mental fortitude meets surface savvy. In the round-robin fray, they stand poised to dictate tempo, inspiring Italy’s doubles resurgence one precise point at a time.