Heliovaara and Patten conquer Turin semis with poise
Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten turned a year of lingering disappointment into decisive dominance, outmaneuvering Italy's home duo in the Nitto ATP Finals to reach Sunday's championship clash amid rising British stakes.
In the charged confines of Turin's Inalpi Arena on November 15, 2025, Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten channeled the sting of last year's semi-final exit into a commanding performance. The Finnish-British pair dismantled Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 6-4, 6-3, their all-court precision silencing the partisan crowd and securing a spot in the Nitto ATP Finals championship match. This victory, crisp and unyielding on the indoor hardcourt, blended tactical evolution with emotional resilience, transforming pressure into propulsion after a season marked by breakthroughs and personal milestones.
Erasing echoes of debut defeat
The ghosts of their 2024 semi-final heartbreak at the Nitto ATP Finals lingered as Heliovaara and Patten took the court, but they banished them swiftly with a break at 1-1 in the opening set. Converting their only opportunity at 30/40, they seized early momentum, their deep returns disrupting the Italians' powerful serves that had troubled them before. Patten's left-handed slices kept balls low and skidding, forcing crosscourt exchanges that exposed gaps in the home team's setup, while Heliovaara's net approaches added layers of control.
Winning 87 per cent of first-serve points—20 out of 23, as tracked by ATP Stats—the duo held firm through the set, their one–two combinations turning defense into dominance. The partisan roar, once a potential disruptor, faded against their rhythm, the arena's energy shifting as the Finn and Brit dictated tempo with inside-out forehands that pinned opponents deep. This wasn't just execution; it reflected a season's worth of growth, from their Australian Open semi-final triumph over the same pair to the grind of qualifying for Turin.
“We had to dig deep yesterday, but we were ready for this semi-final,” said Heliovaara. “I think we really enjoyed being out on court. We had more experience, and we just executed exactly what we wanted to do today.”
Steadying amid second-set pressure
The second set brought a decisive break in the third game, pulling Heliovaara and Patten ahead and deflating the crowd's hopes, but not without tension. Patten, who started the week in Turin by getting engaged to his partner Ellie Stone, faced a scare at 3-2 on 40/30 after a double fault, yet he responded with a nerveless lefty serve out wide to escape deuce and hold. That composure, forged in high-stakes moments, encapsulated their arc, turning the slick indoor surface's speed into an ally rather than a foe.
From there, no further peril arose on their serve, as relentless returns—honed through endless repetitions—neutralized the Italians' booming deliveries. The 36-year-old Heliovaara and 29-year-old Patten moved with veteran assurance, their underspin lobs and down-the-line passes smothering any comeback attempts in a 76-minute masterclass. Extending their ATP head-to-head lead to 3-1 over Bolelli and Vavassori, this win echoed their recent Paris Masters indoor title, the second of the year, positioning them for an eighth tour-level crown.
Finals bound
Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten power into the championship match in Turin, defeating Bolelli/Vavassori 6-4 6-3!#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/PcIQxxiNTk— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 15, 2025
“Lots of practice. There’s no secret really,” said Patten, when asked about he and Heliovaara’s returning performance. “They are two very good servers. We’ve struggled returning against them in the past. Sometimes you get a bit lucky as well. No secret, just lots of hard work and lots of repetitions, really.”
British showdown looms on Sunday
Patten's advance deepens Great Britain's grip on the doubles draw at this year's Nitto ATP Finals, setting up an all-British final against either top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool—the Year-End ATP Doubles No. 1 presented by PIF winners—or Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski. The psychological edge from this redemption sharpens their focus for the indoor hardcourt clash, where familiarity with the surface's pace could amplify their tactical patterns. As the Inalpi Arena's lights cast long shadows on their triumph, the duo's blend of experience and fire promises a championship match rich in rivalry and resolve, capping a season of transformation with one final surge.
