The group stage at Riyadh Masters 2025 delivered its share of high-stakes battles, none more immediately decisive than the tiebreakers determining playoff berths and seeding. In Group C, a tense showdown for the top spot unfolded between Aurora Gaming and Tundra Esports. Emerging victorious from this 2-1 series was Aurora, securing a coveted slot in the playoff bracket while sending Tundra to navigate the demanding Elimination Phase.
Following the hard-fought series, Aurora`s formidable carry player, Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko, offered his perspective on the crucial tiebreaker, the strategic nuances, and his team`s mindset moving forward.
Reflecting on the deciding third game, Nightfall described it as challenging but ultimately rewarding to secure the win. He commented on the nature of high-level competition, where top teams often revisit successful strategies or counter-strategies, leading to repeated hero picks. “I think this happens quite often in matches between top teams,” Nightfall stated. “They just fight, and each team has some idea.”
Aurora`s game plan notably involved denying Tundra key components of their strategy. “We just didn`t want to give them the Tusk and Dazzle combination,” Nightfall explained, highlighting a specific draft priority that influenced the series.
Confidence in their own drafting philosophy remained a constant, even when facing adversity within games. Nightfall cited the second game, where Aurora faced a difficult start, including giving up the first blood and falling to a 0-6 deficit. Despite the early setbacks across multiple lanes, he noted that the gold deficit remained surprisingly manageable—only 4,000 gold behind by the Roshan fight—suggesting the potential for a comeback was still present.
Speaking about the third and final game, which clinched the series for Aurora, Nightfall offered a characteristically candid assessment. Despite the apparent tension of a tiebreaker, he felt the game itself was “pretty simple for us.” Then, with a touch that might be interpreted as player humor or perhaps a slightly ironic take on minor missteps, he added, “we just threw a little for content.” A reminder, perhaps, that even in crucial moments, the human element and the narrative arc of a game are never entirely absent.
Looking beyond the tiebreaker, Nightfall expressed unwavering confidence in Aurora`s capabilities against any opponent in the Riyadh Masters field. “We are confident against any team at this tournament. We think we can beat anyone,” he affirmed, setting a clear tone for Aurora`s playoff aspirations.
When prompted about potential opponents he`d be keen to face, Nightfall mentioned BetBoom Team and Team Liquid. He also offered a brief comment on the tournament structure, finding the single-elimination format for the later stages “quite strange,” a common sentiment among players in high-stakes events.
Riyadh Masters 2025, a marquee Dota 2 event and a part of the larger Esports World Cup 2025, is currently underway in Saudi Arabia, running from July 8th to 19th. Sixteen top teams are competing for a substantial $3 million prize pool. Aurora`s victory over Tundra not only secured their advancement but also served notice of their intent to be a serious contender for that significant grand prize.
Gilbert Pendleton 
Wesley Dunham