Salisbury and Skupski seal unbeaten group run
Channeling a season of close calls into Turin focus, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski dominate their way to a perfect record at the Nitto ATP Finals, setting up an all-British semifinal clash.
Under the Pala Alpitour's steady hum, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski delivered a statement of intent at the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals, affirming their belief as the pair to beat. The fifth seeds wrapped a flawless 3-0 sweep of the John McEnroe Group on Friday evening, outlasting already-eliminated Americans Christian Harrison and Evan King 7-5, 6-3 in 72 minutes. Debuting together at this year-end showcase, the Britons preserved their status as the tournament's only unbeaten team, carrying momentum into semi-final Saturday.
Unbroken streak fuels quiet confidence
The victory stretched Salisbury's personal unbeaten run at the Nitto ATP Finals to 13 matches, rooted in back-to-back titles with Rajeev Ram in 2022-23. Their serving clinic denied Harrison and King any break chances, sharp volleys cutting short rallies on the indoor hardcourt. Skupski's net approaches paired with Salisbury's steady returns formed crisp one–two patterns, crosscourt angles forcing errors in the tight first set as the crowd's energy built toward the 7-5 close.
This win evened their ATP Head2Head with the Americans at 2-2, a matchup layered with history—the U.S. pair had aimed to notch their first victory here since Mike Bryan and Jack Sock claimed the 2018 crown. Yet Salisbury and Skupski's cohesion overwhelmed, their inside-out forehands and down-the-line chips exploiting the surface's speed to turn defense into dominance. The Brits' composure amid the arena's partisan buzz hinted at deeper resolve, transforming a trophy-less year into targeted drive.
“Joe seems to never lose in a group-stage match,” Salisbury said with a smile. “It’s going really well, we’re happy to get three wins. We’ve been through some difficult times this week, but we’ve managed to keep going.”
The unstoppable duo @joesalisbury92 and @nealskupski top the John McEnroe Group with a perfect record.#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/4TJJjReM9Y
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2025
Season's finals sharpen semifinal edge
Though yet to claim silverware in 2025, Salisbury and Skupski reached five finals, including at Roland Garros and the US Open, building resilience for Turin's demands. They dropped just one set across group play, their adjustments to the swift courts—varying serve placements and aggressive poaching—proving pivotal against varied foes. Salisbury noted the event's unique pull, where past echoes bolster present focus.
“I think we just give it our all in every match,” he added. “We know it’s going to be tough with all the best teams here, but there’s something about this place that I feel good here and enjoy playing on this court.” The words captured a mental shift, the Pala Alpitour's atmosphere channeling frustration into fuel as they eye Saturday's all-British semifinal against top seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.
British rivalry tests tactical depth
The upcoming clash pits familiar styles—volley-heavy approaches and net-rushing—on the same fast surface, where subtle return tweaks could decide points. Cash and Glasspool's aggressive returns will challenge the challengers' serve-volley rhythm, but Salisbury and Skupski's unbeaten path signals adaptability forged in adversity. As the semis approach, their group's procession reframes the season's narrative, positioning this duo on the cusp of breakthrough amid Turin's rising tension.
