Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori served up some early-season revenge in dramatic fashion on Saturday at the Adelaide International.
The Italian duo saved four match points late in the second set before securing a 4-6, 7-6(4), 11-9 championship-match triumph against Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz at the hard-court ATP 250. Bolleli and Vavassori held firm to triumph in their first meeting with Krawietz and Puetz since the German pair knocked them out of the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals with a decisive group-stage win.
“The match changed in the second set,” said Bolelli after he and Vavassori claimed their fourth ATP Tour title as a team. “We saved our game at 5-6, 0/40, so four match points for them. Then we started to play better and better. Then it was 7/7 in the Match Tie-break, then 9/9. [It was a] roller coaster, but we're used to it… We just keep fighting and [now we are] really happy.”
The Italian pair converted three of five break points they earned, according to Infosys ATP Stats, to take a 3-2 lead in its Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Krawietz and Puetz. Saturday’s victory also ensured that the 39-year-old Bolelli will on Monday rise to a career-high No. 6 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings.
“I thought Bole played unbelievable in the [Match] Tie-break,” said Vavassori of his partner. “I think we deserved [to win] because we kept fighting, believing in our chances. Doubles is like this sometimes. It's a nightmare if you lose a match that you should win, and you win matches that you should lose. Happy to take the confidence also for Melbourne.”
Mektic/Venus triumph Via Walkover In Auckland
Another duo heading to the Australian Open with an ATP 250 trophy in their baggage will be Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus. The top seeds won the ASB Classic in Auckland via walkover after their final opponents, Christian Harrison and Rajeev Ram, were forced to withdraw due to an injury to Ram.
Home favourite Venus is now a two-time titlist in Auckland, where he previously lifted the trophy alongside Mate Pavic in 2016. The New Zealander also reached the championship match in 2019 with Raven Klaasen.
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