Krawietz and Puetz Clutch a Dramatic Comeback for a Consolation Victory in Turin | ATP Tour | Tennis
Match Report
Defending Champions Fall Short This Year, but Their Grit Shines Through
November 13, 2025
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz during their intense matchup on Thursday in Turin. Photo by ATP Staff
Imagine the thrill of a tennis match where everything seems lost, yet two players dig deep, save a crucial point, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat—it's the stuff of legends! But here's where it gets controversial: should teams like Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz bother putting in maximum effort when the tournament stakes are already gone? In their final group-stage encounter on Thursday at the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, the German duo—already out of contention—defeated the Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in a nail-biting 7-6(5), 4-6, 13-11, clinching a redemption win after rescuing a match point.
To set the scene for beginners, the Nitto ATP Finals is tennis's grand year-end doubles championship, featuring the world's top eight teams in a round-robin format. This means every pair plays each other in their group, and the top finishers advance to knockouts. Last year's winners, Krawietz and Puetz, stumbled early with defeats in their first two matches in the Peter Fleming group. Meanwhile, Bolelli and Vavassori had already secured group supremacy with their own victories, meaning Thursday's showdown was purely for pride—and, as it turned out, for some heart-pounding drama.
Even without any pressure to qualify, the sixth- and seventh-ranked teams delivered a captivating battle at the Inalpi Arena. Picture this: down to 9-10 in the decisive Match Tie-break (a special scoring format used in ties to avoid endless play), Krawietz and Puetz fought back from the brink, saving that pivotal match point to close out the win after nearly two hours of play. It's a reminder that in sports, the human spirit can turn 'exhibition' games into unforgettable moments—though some might argue it's a waste of energy when the real rewards are off the table.
And this is the part most people miss: the sheer resilience shown by these athletes. Krawietz and Puetz wrapped up their season with a solid 42-18 record as a partnership, boasting triumphs in tournaments like Shanghai and Halle. Their Turin campaign this year ended 1-2 after claiming the trophy here last time, proving that even champions face off-years.
As for the victors, Bolelli and Vavassori march on to the semi-finals on Saturday. They'll be up against the winners of tonight's doubles clash between Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool versus Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. It's a tournament full of surprises, where underdogs can shine bright.
What do you think—does competing without stakes diminish the value of a win, or does it highlight true sportsmanship? Is there a controversial case to be made that teams should sometimes 'tank' these matches to rest for bigger challenges? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments—agree, disagree, or add your own tennis tales!
