ATP Tour

Heliovaara/Patten clinch SF spot in high-drama Nitto ATP Finals clash

Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten made the most of two pivotal video reviews in a dramatic, win-or-go-home showdown on Friday at the Nitto ATP Finals, where they clinched their place in the semi-finals.

The second seeds overcame Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 7-6(5), 6-2 to finish 2-1 in the John McEnroe Group, booking a return to the last four for the second consecutive year. Their victory came after two tense stoppages —one in each set — as chair umpire Fergus Murphy reviewed disputed calls that both went in their favour during the 85-minute clash.

Next stop 👉 Semi-finals!

Heliovaara/Patten are through to the final 4 after an impressive victory over Arevalo/Pavic 7-6(5) 6-2. #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/iGqA8svIMw

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2025

The first flashpoint came at 4/4 in the first-set tie-break, when Pavic unleashed a deep return that landed beyond the baseline. Patten instinctively stuck out his racquet in case the ball dropped in, prompting Arevalo to challenge whether it touched the Briton before landing out. After a five-minute review, Murphy ruled there was no clear foul and Heliovaara and Patten rode the momentum to claim the next point and later the opener.

Another heated moment arrived early in the second set, when Arevalo was judged to have celebrated a winning volley before the point was complete at 1-1, 15/15, triggering another video review. Murphy deemed the early celebration a hindrance, and three points later, the British-Finnish duo grabbed a crucial break.

“We both showed our greatest shots, our biggest shots, when it really mattered,” said Heliovaara, who also recorded his 200th tour-level win. “We can be really proud about that. For the whole year, we’ve been waiting to meet those guys after Turin last year… What a match it was.”

The victory served as payback for last year’s semi-final defeat to Arevalo and Pavic in Turin. Heliovaara and Patten are now level at 2-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series and have secured a return to the semi-finals, where they will face home favourites Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.

“I can’t wait to play in that atmosphere,” Patten said, previewing their semi-final clash. “Whether the crowd is for or against you, to play on that court in front of those fans is electric. They’re playing unbelievable tennis and have saved their best until last.”