Top Seeds Keep Hopes Alive at the Nitto ATP Finals
Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic overcame a slow start on Wednesday to claim an important victory at the Nitto ATP Finals. The top seeds defeated Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden 7-5, 6-3, reigniting their chances of advancing to the tournament’s knockout stage. This win was especially meaningful as it improved their record to 1-1 in the Bob Bryan Group.
Impressive Mid-Match Performance
Arevalo and Pavic showcased resilience with a strong mid-match performance, winning 15 consecutive points and securing the victory in just 68 minutes. “We had to give it our all today; it was essentially a must-win match,” Arevalo stated. He emphasized the importance of their determination, saying, “Mate and I decided to go out there and leave everything on the court. Fortunately, we were able to capitalize on crucial moments and came out on top.”
Looking Toward the Next Challenge
With a current 1-1 record, Arevalo and Pavic will face the home duo of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in their final round-robin match. The Salvadoran-Croatian pair is striving to become the first top seeds to win the tournament since Mike and Bob Bryan accomplished the feat in 2014. “It feels great to win, especially since we hadn’t won a match since the US Open,” Pavic noted. He acknowledged the unusual nature of their previous five-match losing streak at this level, expressing relief at turning their fortunes around.
Aiming for the Year-End No. 1 Spot
This victory not only lifted their spirits but also bolstered their bid for the year-end ATP doubles No. 1 ranking, sponsored by PIF. Arevalo and Pavic currently lead the live ATP doubles rankings, holding a 410-point advantage over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, who are down 0-2 in the Mike Bryan Group.
Momentum Initially Favors Bopanna and Ebden
Momentum in the first set initially favored Bopanna and Ebden, who are set to end their two-year partnership after this event. However, they failed to capitalize on an early lead. In the tense 12th game, Ebden committed two consecutive double faults, giving Arevalo and Pavic the edge they needed.
Arevalo and Pavic Determined to Win
From that point on, Arevalo and Pavic took control of the match. Despite a late rally from Bopanna and Ebden, who won 9 out of 12 points on their first serve, it wasn’t enough to overcome the momentum shift created by the top seeds.
A Turning Point for Arevalo and Pavic
The victory serves as a turning point in Arevalo and Pavic’s Nitto ATP Finals campaign. With newfound confidence and a crucial match against Bolelli/Vavassori on the horizon, fans eagerly await to see if this dynamic duo can continue their winning path and secure a semifinal spot. Their journey reflects not only their on-court skills but also their resilience and determination to succeed at the highest level of tennis.
