Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek beat Maximo Gonzales and Andres Molteni 6-4 6-2 in the opening doubles match of the Nitto ATP Finals at the Pala Alpitour in Turin.
Molteni hit a behind-the-back half-volley before Dodig hit a forehand winner at 30-30 in the first game of the opening set.
Dodig and Krajicek won three deciding points in the first set, including in the opening two games of the match, and broke serve in the first game. The Croatian and Argentine player broke twice in the first and seventh games to win the second set 6-2.
Dodig and Krajicek avenged their defeat in their only head-to-head match in their only match against Molteni and Gonzales in the semifinals in Cincinnati last August.
Dodig and Krajicek lost all of their group-stage clashes in Match Tie-Breaks in last year’s edition in 2022. “It was very important. I think we played a great match today. To win 6-4 6-2 is a great start for us. It’s still the group stage and still the first match, but it very nice to play today in a full stadium. We had a good time, great fun with a good crowd, so it is great to be back in Turin and great to start with a win”, said Dodig in the post-match interview.
Granollers and Zeballos beat Gonzales and Roger Vasselin
Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos came back from one set down to beat Santiago Gonzales and Edouard Roger Vasselin 2-6 6-3 10-10 after 90 minutes moving to 1-0 in Green Group of the doubles tournament at the Nitto ATP Finals at the Pala Alpitour in Turin.
Gonzales and Roger Vasselin won five consecutive games from 1-2 down in the first set. The French and Mexican team converted their third break point on the deciding point in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. They went up a double break on their fourth break opportunity in the seventh game and served out the first set with a hold at love.
Granollers and Zeballos earned their first break points in the sixth game of the second set and broke serve on the deciding point to build a 5-2 lead. The Spanish and Argentine player served out the second set with a hold at love forcing the match to the Match Tie-Break. Granollers and Zeballos won 80% of points on their second serves in the second set.
Granollers and Zeballos earned a mini-break to take a 3-1 lead. Gonzales and Roger Vasselin pulled back on serve to draw level to 5-5. Granollers and Zeballos won six of the next eight points to claim the Match Tie-Break on the second match point.
