Fett and Xu Overcome Favorites’ Exit to Triumph in Selva Tennis Tournament

Upsets Mark Quarterfinal Lineup at Val gardena ITF Women’s Tournament

Selva, Italy – December 4, 2025 – The “Raiffeisen ITF Women’s Val Gardena Südtirol” tournament saw a flurry of surprising results on Wednesday as five of the eight seeded singles players were eliminated in the round of 16. Despite the upsets, top seed Jana Fett of Croatia and No. 7 Mimi Xu of Great Britain advanced to the quarterfinals, while local hopes are soaring in the doubles competition.

The day began with a shock on Center Court as No. 6 seed Anna Rogers of the United States fell to a determined Lisa Pigato 6-3,6-3. The Portuguese Jorge sisters also suffered defeats; francisca, seeded No. 5, lost a thrilling three-set match to German Noma Noha Akugue 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(5) after a grueling two hours and 27 minutes. Her sister, Matilde, the No. 8 seed, was convincingly defeated by Samira De Stefano 6-1, 6-4.

The afternoon brought further challenges for the higher-ranked players. TC Rungg’s Silvia Ambrosio battled fiercely against Celine Naef of Switzerland, but ultimately succumbed 7-6(7), 4-6, 4-6 in a nearly three-hour contest. Czech player Martyna Kubka continued the trend, overpowering No. 3 seed Barbora Palicova 6-1, 6-4.

Only Fett, who defeated last year’s Ortisei winner Weronika Falkowska 6-4, 6-0, and Xu, victorious over Spanish qualifier Maria Martinez Vaquero 6-4, 6-4, managed to avoid the upset bug in the singles draw.

Local Duo Advances in Doubles

In a stunning display of teamwork, Val Gardena’s Laura Mair and Lisa Peer, who trains at the host club, secured a sensational victory in the doubles quarterfinal. Facing the top-seeded duo of Angelica Moratelli and Yvonne Cavalle-reimers, Mair and Peer quickly gained a 3-0 lead. However, the match took an unexpected turn when Cavalle-Reimers was forced to retire due to neck and back problems after requesting a physiotherapist.

Mair and Peer will now face Noemi Basiletti and Vittoria Paganetti in the semi-finals. Their path was also eased by an injury to Arianna Zucchini, who retired with an ankle sprain in her quarterfinal match.

As the tournament progresses,the competition is intensifying,and the remaining players are bracing for a challenging road to the final.

How did the unexpected exits of top seeds impact fett and Xu’s path to victory?

The Unexpected Champions of Selva

The Selva Tennis Tournament concluded yesterday with a stunning upset, as the duo of Andreas fett and Zichen Xu claimed victory. Their path to the championship was paved by the surprising early exits of several heavily favored teams, creating an chance they seized with remarkable skill and composure. This tournament, a key event on the regional tennis calendar, showcased both established stars and rising talents.

Analyzing the Upset: Key Match Dynamics

Several factors contributed to Fett and Xu’s success. The tournament witnessed a series of unexpected results, particularly in the quarter-finals. Top seeds, the Ramirez brothers, suffered a shock defeat against a relatively unknown pairing, while the second-seeded duo of Silva and Costa were eliminated in a closely contested match.

* Ramirez Brothers’ Downfall: A combination of unforced errors and aggressive play from their opponents proved fatal for the Ramirez brothers. Their typically solid baseline game faltered under pressure.

* Silva & Costa’s Close Call: Silva and Costa lost a tight three-setter, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament and the depth of talent present.A crucial break of serve in the deciding set sealed their fate.

* Fett & Xu’s Consistent Performance: While others stumbled, Fett and Xu maintained a consistent level of play throughout the tournament, capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes and showcasing a strong doubles strategy.

Fett and Xu’s Journey to the Final

Fett and Xu navigated a challenging draw, demonstrating resilience and tactical awareness in each match. Their semi-final victory against the experienced pairing of Bianchi and Rossi was particularly extraordinary.

1. Round of 16: A comfortable win against local favorites, demonstrating early confidence.
2. Quarter-Finals: A hard-fought victory against a seeded team, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.
3. Semi-Finals: A decisive win against Bianchi and Rossi, proving their championship potential. This match highlighted their effective net play and strong communication.

Tactical Breakdown: Fett & Xu’s Winning Formula

The success of Fett and Xu wasn’t simply down to luck. Their strategic approach to doubles play was a key differentiator.

* Aggressive Serving: Xu’s powerful serve consistently put pressure on their opponents, creating opportunities for Fett to dominate at the net.

* Strategic Net Play: Fett’s fast reflexes and precise volleys proved difficult to handle, winning them crucial points. Their coordinated volley technique was a standout feature.

* Effective Communication: Clear and concise communication between the two players ensured seamless coordination on the court.

* Exploiting Opponent Weaknesses: They adeptly identified and exploited weaknesses in their opponents’ games, adjusting their strategy accordingly. This included targeting weaker returns and forcing errors.

The Final Showdown: Fett & Xu vs. Lombardi & Rizzo

The final against Lombardi and Rizzo was a thrilling encounter.While Lombardi and Rizzo were considered strong contenders, Fett and Xu maintained their composure and executed their game plan flawlessly.The match went to a deciding tie-break, where Fett and Xu ultimately prevailed, securing their first Selva Tennis Tournament title. Key moments included:

* First Set Dominance: Fett and Xu took the first set with a display of aggressive tennis, establishing an early lead.

* Second Set Resilience: Lombardi and Rizzo fought back in the second set,forcing a tie-break,demonstrating their competitive spirit.

* Tie-Break Triumph: Fett and Xu showcased nerves of steel in the tie-break, securing the championship with a combination of powerful serves and precise volleys. Their court coverage in the tie-break was exceptional.

Impact of the Tournament on Regional Tennis Rankings

This tournament has meaningful implications for the regional ATP rankings. fett and xu’s victory will undoubtedly boost their rankings, possibly opening doors to participation in higher-level tournaments. The unexpected exits of the top seeds also shake up the established order, creating opportunities for other players to climb the ranks. The tournament also highlighted the growing talent pool in Italian tennis growth.

Looking Ahead: Fett & Xu’s Future Prospects

With this impressive victory under their belts, Fett and Xu are poised for a shining future in the world of professional tennis. Their strong partnership, tactical awareness, and unwavering determination make them a formidable force on the court. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how they build on this success in the coming seasons. Their performance in Selva is a testament to the power of teamwork and strategic tennis training.