Harrison and King tighten grip on Turin dreams
With tiebreaks hanging like autumn fog over Brussels, Christian Harrison and Evan King outlasted top seeds to claim a third title, amplifying their rankings edge in a weekend of doubles drama that spanned Stockholm’s chill and Almaty’s vast courts.
In the echoing arena of the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open, where hard courts gleamed under October lights, Christian Harrison and Evan King turned a grueling final into a statement of endurance. The Americans, chasing their first Nitto ATP Finals berth, faced top seeds Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in a match that stretched resolve to its limits. Every crosscourt return and net-rush volley carried the weight of qualification dreams, as the duo clung to their eighth-place spot in the PIF ATP Live Doubles Teams Rankings.
Tiebreaks forge unbreakable edge
Harrison and King edged the French pair 7-6(10), 7-6(5), their steady one–two combinations disrupting aggressive poaches and down-the-line threats. This victory, their third of the season after hard-court triumphs in Dallas and Acapulco, extended a 300-point lead over the ninth-ranked Nys and Roger-Vasselin—a gap that could have narrowed to 100 with defeat. Since their January debut in Montpellier, the partnership has deepened, blending King’s inside-out forehands with Harrison’s underspin slices to navigate late draws with growing authority.
The crowd’s tension built through prolonged rallies, the ball’s skid on the surface amplifying each unforced error. Their composure in tiebreaks, shifting to deeper serves that forced weak returns, not only secured the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open title but injected momentum into the Turin race, where every point now feels like a stake in year-end history.
“Alex and I played great, but also the city is incredible,” said Galloway. “We had a great turnout for every one of our matches, especially the semi-finals and final. It’s great, any title is a great feeling, especially finishing the year strong.”
Stockholm sweep silences season doubts
Across the Baltic chill, Alexander Erler and Robert Galloway capped a flawless week at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open, dropping no sets en route to their first team title on indoor hard courts. The Austrian-American duo dismantled Vasil Kirkov and Bart Stevens 6-3, 6-2 in the final, their precise passing shots and synchronized volleys overwhelming any resistance. Earlier, they toppled third seeds Yuki Bhambri and John Peers in the opener, then ousted top seeds Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the semis, building a rhythm that quelled end-of-year fatigue.
Erler’s flat serves pinned returns deep, setting up Galloway’s net poaches, while varied paces with slices kept opponents off-balance in the faster indoor tempo. The packed stands fueled their poise, turning the Scandinavian venue into a cauldron of support that mirrored the electric atmosphere Galloway praised. This undefeated run transforms late-season pressure into propulsion, positioning the pair for bolder indoor challenges ahead.
Almaty debut sparks instant fire
Farther east under Central Asia’s expansive skies, Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti launched their partnership with a stunning Almaty Open triumph, their first ATP Tour event together yielding a title over third seeds Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner 6-4, 7-6(8). The Frenchmen saved all six break points faced, their deep crosscourt lobs and timely one–two punches weathering aggressive pressure on outdoor hard courts. Olivetti’s towering serves provided a stable base, while Arribage’s court coverage turned defensive stands into offensive opportunities, adapting to the altitude’s subtle ball lift.
This resilient final, laced with mental grit honed from prior challengers, underscores how fresh pairings can ignite the doubles circuit overnight. As autumn tournaments converge toward the season’s pinnacle, such breakthroughs echo the broader push for rankings shifts, reminding that tactical sync and unbreakable bonds can redefine trajectories in the final stretch.
