In a thrilling final at the 2024 French Open, El Salvador's Marcelo Arevalo and Croatian Mate Pavic clinch victory in the men's doubles, capturing their first grand slam as a pair at Roland Garros. They faced a formidable duo, Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in a match that tested their resilience and teamwork across three compelling sets. Arevalo and Pavic defeated Bolelli and Vavassori by 7-5, 6-3 to win their first major.
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Set-by-Set Analysis
First Set: 7-5
Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić’ came out with a strong start, putting their superior coordination and aggressive playing through the nets in the demonstration. They gained a crucial lead, breaking their opponents' serve early. Bolelli and Vavassori struggled to find their rhythm, particularly when they served, allowing Arévalo and Pavić to control the set. The Salvadoran-Croatian pair took advantage of their opportunities and maintained their serves with absolute consistency, closing the set 7-5.
Second Set: 6-3
In the second set, Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić’ again started strong and executed their precise game plan. They broke Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori's serve early, similar to the first set, which proved decisive. Their experience and effective communication were on full display, allowing them to dominate the net and handle the baseline exchanges with poise. The second set saw fewer errors from Arévalo and Pavić, their relentless pressure led to a 6-3 victory, securing the championship.
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Tactical Highlights
- Net Play: Arévalo and Pavić were exceptional at the net, often cutting off angles and forcing their opponents into difficult passing shots. Their volleys were crisp and accurate, a crucial factor in their win.
- Serving: Both pairs served well throughout, but the champions' ability to maintain a high first-serve percentage in critical moments was a key element in their success.
- Break Points: Arévalo and Pavić were particularly effective at converting break points, a critical difference-maker in both sets they won. Their ability to break Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori's serve early in sets gave them the upper hand.
Stats Table
Arévalo and Pavić |
Categories | Bolelli and Vavassori |
4 | Aces | 1 |
74% | First serve % | 75% |
77% | Win % on 1st serve | 66% |
41% | Win % on 2nd serve | 57% |
3/3 | Break points | 1/7 |
21 | Receiving points won | 22 |
68 | Points won | 59 |
13 | Games won | 8 |
3 | Max games won in a row | 2 |
5 | Max points won in a row | 6 |
47 | Service points won | 37 |
10 | Service games won | 7 |
Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić’s triumph at the 2024 French Open is the most compelling evidence of their excellence, tactical wit, and strong partnership. Not only is it their first Grand Slam win in this championship, but it might also be the beginning of their reign in men’s doubles, and they have shown at Roland Garros that such dominance is a real possibility. Their demonstration of strong strategic thinking and unbeatable mental strength is what could be expected in their upcoming games in the ATP.