Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori launched their title defence at the ATP 500 in Washington with a commanding 6-4, 6-4 victory over Robert Cash and Alexander Erler in the first round of the men's doubles.
The Italian duo, who won the Mubadala Citi DC Open crown in 2025, showed no signs of rust despite having not played together since reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon three weeks ago. They converted the decisive break points when it mattered most and saved all six break points they faced across the one-hour-and-22-minute contest.
Bolelli and Vavassori seized the initiative early, breaking the Erler serve in the opening game of the match as the Austrian double-faulted on break point. They carried that advantage through the first set, with Bolelli saving a break point at 2-1 before the pair served it out from 15-40 down in the final game.
The second set followed a similar pattern. After a string of comfortable holds, Erler's serve came under pressure again at 3-3. Two double faults from 40-15 handed the Italians the decisive break. Cash and Erler created two break-back opportunities in the following game, but Vavassori produced a sharp volley winner to snuff out the danger.
The defending champions could not convert a match point on the Cash serve at 5-3, but Bolelli held to love in the next game to seal the victory.
Awaiting them in the quarter-finals could be Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe, who were scheduled to face Francisco Cabral and James Tracy later in the day.
Bolelli and Vavassori are seeking their second consecutive Washington title and a fourth ATP trophy together overall.
Sources
- https://www.ubitennis.com/blog/2026/07/27/atp-washington-bolelli-e-vavassori-iniziano-la-difesa-del-titolo-con-una-vittoria-su-cash-e-erler/
