Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten overcame Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos 6-3, 5-7, 10-4 on Sunday at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, avoiding an opening upset in the Todd Woodbridge Group, ATP Tour reported.
The top seeds and World No. 1s raced into an early lead when the eighth seeds failed to win a single point in their first service game, according to Flashscore.com. That opening break handed the reigning champions a 3-0 advantage, and the rest of the first set went comfortably with serve to secure a 6-3 scoreline.
“We enjoyed being on the court,” Heliovaara said when asked about returning as the defending champions. “I felt like before almost every serve, I was taking it all in. Of course, there were nerves and expectations, but I think we handled it very well and stayed focused.”
Brazilian Challengers Force Deciding Match Tie-Break
Luz and Matos found their rhythm in a tightly contested second set after claiming ATP Masters 1000 titles in Montreal and Cincinnati earlier in the season. The eighth seeds forced a loss of serve in game four of the second set, and though Heliovaara and Patten broke back immediately, the Brazilians broke through again in game 12 to take the set 7-5, Flashscore.com reported.
That second-set surge leveled the match and forced a decisive Match Tie-break in the tournament’s opening fixture. However, the top seeds quickly seized control of the decider by forcing three losses of serve in the first four attempts to race into a 7-1 lead.
“The Brazilians were unable to push on in the tiebreak,” Flashscore.com noted, detailing how the gap remained at six points until Heliovaara and Patten secured match point at 10-4.
Year-End No. 1s Eye Next Turin Opponents
Heliovaara and Patten secured the ATP Year-End Doubles No. 1 presented by PIF honours for the first time last week, capping a 2026 season that includes five tour-level titles and a Wimbledon crown together. The top seeds moved to 1-0 in the Todd Woodbridge Group following Sunday’s victory.
They will continue their bid for a second consecutive trophy in Turin on Tuesday, when they face Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic or Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti, according to Nitto ATP Finals.
Nitto ATP Finals Tournament Details
Where are the 2026 Nitto ATP Finals taking place?
The season-ending tournament is being held in Turin, Italy, featuring the world’s top-qualifying doubles teams and singles players.
Who are Heliovaara and Patten playing next in the group stage?
The top seeds will face either Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic or Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti on Tuesday in the Todd Woodbridge Group.
What titles have the top seeds won together this season?
Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten have captured five tour-level titles in 2026, including a Wimbledon crown, and secured the ATP Year-End Doubles No. 1 honours.