A stunning upset! Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos kicked off the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals with a bang, defeating the defending champions, Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, on Sunday in Turin. This victory marks a continuation of their dominance over the German duo. But how did they pull it off? Let's dive in.
Granollers and Zeballos, already chasing their sixth title of the season, secured their first win of the tournament with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 10-6. This win also extends their impressive record against Krawietz and Puetz to a perfect 4-0 in their head-to-head matchups, according to the Lexus ATP Head2Head. That's a serious winning streak!
"It’s super important to start the tournament well," Granollers emphasized, highlighting the significance of this initial victory. Every match and every set counts in a tournament of this caliber.
And this is the part most people miss... While both teams demonstrated strong defense, saving eight out of nine break points, Granollers and Zeballos elevated their game in the Match Tie-break. They dominated at one point, leading 8/3. Zeballos acknowledged the intensity of the match, stating, "Every match here is [like] a final, especially when you play against this team. They are a really strong team." The key, he noted, was maintaining a positive mindset, especially after dropping the second set.
This marks the sixth consecutive appearance for Granollers and Zeballos in the Nitto ATP Finals, where they hold an 8-11 record. They even reached the final in 2023.
What do you think? Were you surprised by this outcome? Do you think Granollers and Zeballos have what it takes to go all the way this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
