The first seeds add a key victory in Turin
Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavic completed an exercise of authority at the Nitto ATP Finals this Wednesday, beating Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden 7-5, 6-3 to keep their options in the Bob Bryan Group intact. In a duel between two couples defeated on the first day of competition, the Salvadoran and Croatian exhibited their ability to survive until they reacted at the Inalpi Arena in Turin.
The first seeds resisted in a test of faith, saving two rounds where they imposed their confidence to maintain control. Arévalo and Pavic rallied in the first set, overcoming an early break (1-3) before taking control of the match. Then, they gritted their teeth after losing a break of lead in the second set, which they closed with the usual authority to stay afloat in the tournament.
“We had to give everything today, this was the match that allowed us to continue in the tournament,” Arévalo said. “Anything could happen and we knew it. We put extra energy on the court. Mate and I decided to go out and give our best. We were lucky to find the shots in the important moments and we ended up achieving victory.”
Arévalo and Pavic aspire to round out a 2024 of maximum rapport on the circuit, where they have positioned themselves as the most consistent duo in the locker room in their first season head-to-head. Salvadoran and Croatian have amassed a haul of four trophies, including their first Grand Slam cup (Roland Garros) and ATP Masters 1000 (Cincinnati) as a couple. Enough merits to fight for the PIF ATP Year-End No. 1 Doubles Teams Rankings, a milestone that up to four couples aspire to achieve in Turin.
“It’s good to get a win, we hadn’t won a match since the US Open“Pavic said. “It’s something we’re not used to at this level. It can happen, because everyone is playing well. We are happy to have turned the situation around achieving this victory. “Hopefully we can get on the court on Friday and play a good game.”
The second day of the Bob Bryan Group will be completed this Wednesday in the night session with the first ticket to the semifinals on the table. If the Germans Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz are able to beat the Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori, they will be able to qualify for the direct elimination rounds in Turin.
Bopanna and Ebden are left with remote options of repeating the semifinals signed in 2023 during their first participation as a couple in the season finale event. The Australian Open champions, who already depend on third results, will close their time in the group stage this Friday.
Source: https://www.nittoatpfinals.com/es/news/turin-2024-grupos-arevalo-pavic-bopanna-ebden
