Italians turn Turin roar into upset fuel

On November 9, 2025, under the bright lights of Inalpi Arena, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori transformed the weight of expectation into explosive momentum at the Nitto ATP Finals. Entering their second straight year at this elite year-end showcase, the Italian pair outmaneuvered top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool 7-5, 6-3 in an 82-minute clash that echoed with crowd fervor. They converted two of three break points, as ATP Stats show, seizing control in a match that blended tactical precision with raw emotion.

Channeling pressure into net dominance

The indoor hardcourt's swift pace amplified every exchange, where Bolelli and Vavassori leaned on crosscourt lobs and inside-out forehands to stretch their opponents wide. This approach disrupted the British duo's one–two combinations, turning aggressive poaches into vulnerable positions at the net. Home cheers swelled with each underspin approach, boosting the hosts' composure as they held serve amid the top seeds' mounting frustration.

Vavassori's deep returns in the first set's tenth game forced an error, yielding the break at 5-5 and tilting the momentum. Bolelli followed with a low slice backhand that skidded low, drawing a netted overhead from Glasspool under the arena's roar. These moments highlighted the Italians' veteran instincts, converting defensive stands into offensive surges that silenced early doubts.

How about THAT for a volley! #NittoATPFinals | @BolelliSimone pic.twitter.com/BK4NEMD0hl

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 9, 2025

Exploiting angles for break point wins

As the second set unfolded, the pair's inside-in angles exposed the Brits' deeper positioning, with Vavassori's crosscourt backhand winner in the fourth game securing another break. Cash and Glasspool, chasing Year-End No. 1 honors, faltered on volleys that had defined their season, unable to reset against the hosts' anticipatory play. The 6-3 finish came via crisp net work, where Bolelli's down-the-line pass capped a rally fueled by the crowd's unrelenting energy.

This efficiency not only eased the mental strain from last year's debut shortfall but also extended their ATP head-to-head lead over the defeated pair to 3-1. The British team, despite the loss denying an immediate rankings clinch, maintains a 1305-point edge over Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in the live doubles teams standings. Heliovaara and Patten face their opener on Monday, keeping the group's math tight.

Perfect start sharpens semifinal hunt

Now 1-0 in the Peter Fleming Group, Bolelli and Vavassori stand poised for their first semi-final push here, their upset reframing a season of near-misses into one of breakthrough potential. The victory underscores doubles' psychological layers, where split-second reads amid roaring support can redefine legacies. As Turin pulses forward, the Italians carry this home-forged fire, eyeing deeper runs while the top seeds regroup for redemption.