The Nitto ATP Finals in Turin has showcased a thrilling doubles competition this year, with Great Britain firmly establishing its presence in the final showdown. Three out of the four finalist teams hail from Britain, setting the stage for a highly anticipated conclusion to the tournament.
In a remarkable semi-final match, the Finnish duo of Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten delivered a commanding performance against the top-seeded Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. The match concluded with a score of 6-4, 6-3, enabling Heliovaara and Patten to advance to the finals. Last year’s semi-final exit is now a distant memory for the duo as they exhibited an impressive display of coordination and skill, effectively neutralizing the fervent home crowd supporting the Italian team at the Inalpi Arena.
Reflecting on their successful match, Heliovaara stated, “We had to dig deep yesterday, but we were ready for this semi-final. I think we really enjoyed being out on court. We had more experience, and we just executed exactly what we wanted to do today.” Their decisive break during the first set was crucial, occurring at 1-1, 30-40, which set the tone for their control in the match. They added another vital break early in the second set, ensuring their dominance was maintained. The match wrapped up after 76 minutes, with Heliovaara and Patten demonstrating their resilience against a team known for exceptional serve.
When discussing their successful strategy, Patten attributed their performance to extensive practice: “There’s no secret really. 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.” The duo now prepares to compete for their eighth tour-level title, following their indoor triumph at the Paris Masters just weeks prior.
In the nightcap, the other British pair, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, fought their way into the final, overcoming fellow countrymen and the season’s top-ranked duo, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, with a nail-biting score of 6-7(3), 6-3, 10-8. The match was fiercely contested, particularly in the first set, where only a single break point opportunity presented itself, leading to a tiebreaker that favored the defending champions due to some outstanding returns.
Salisbury and Skupski responded well in the second set, breaking early to seize control and serving efficiently to level the match. The deciding Match Tiebreak was a test of nerves and skill, eventually claimed by Salisbury and Skupski after one hour and 31 minutes on the court. With a record of 46 wins against 21 losses this season, the duo is keen to secure their first title of the year, having come close in both the French Open and US Open finals.
For Skupski, winning the ATP Finals would mark a significant milestone, as he aims for his third title at this event, having previously triumphed alongside American partner Rajeev Ram in consecutive years (2022-23). The final promises to be a thrilling encounter between these two talented teams, highlighting Britain’s prominent position in the world of doubles tennis.
