Three ATP finals will be contested on Sunday in Stockholm, Vienna, and Moscow. A two-team panel makes its picks.
If Stockholm Open: (1) David Ferrer vs. (7) Grigor Dimitrov
Steen Kirby:Ferrer has squeaked by Jack Sock and Ernests Gulbis in the two matches he has played in Stockholm, and otherwise he has had a rough second half of the year as he tries to retain a top-three ranking. He is winning but winning ugly. Surprisingly, Dimitrov rolled his way past three opponents in straights then beat Benoit Paire in three to make the final. Though Ferrer has a 3-0 head-to-head edge, Dimitrov is in better form and should snag his first title in his second final this year. Dimitrov in 3.
Ricky: Ferrer’s 3-0 record against Dimitrov includes two victories on hard courts. The surface may be slightly advantageous for Dimtrov, but it does not appear to be playing fast enough to give the underdog more than an outside chance. Gulbis could not win quite enough free points and he eventually wilted mentally and physically under Ferrer’s pressure (and thanks to a meltdown of his own mind). Ferrer certainly isn’t on fire right now, but his mental toughness and consistency from the baseline will work similar magic against another talented youngster. Ferrer in 2.
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Erste Bank Open: Robin Haase vs. (2) Tommy Haas
Steen: Haas has found good form in Vienna and he may not have much trouble with the similarly-named but less talented Robin Haase in this final. Haas has dropped just one set in three matches–to Lukas Rosol in the semis. Haase, meanwhile, edged past all but his semifinal opponent, needing three sets against his first three and upsetting a hobbled Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semis. To his credit, Haase has improved his woeful tiebreak record this week. Haas in 2.
Ricky: Haase with an ‘e’ is showcasing a rare alacrity for pressure-packed matches this week, which should serve him well in the final. Of course, Haas without an ‘e’ has done the same, including in a third-set tiebreaker win over Rosol on Saturday. Haase is 2-1 lifetime in ATP finals so he is not a complete stranger to this situation, but both of his triumphs have come on outdoor clay. Haas has been a part of 26 of these things and his 27th ATP final appearance should net him his 15th title. But it will be another tough one. Haas in 3.
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Kremlin Cup: (1) Richard Gasquet vs. (Q) Mikhail Kukushkin
Steen: Gasquet dropped a set to Evgeny Donskoy but otherwise has blasted his way past a weak field in Moscow. As he lasers in on the title, he will face the rejuvenated Kukushkin–who has made a memorable comeback run and has notched his second career ATP final and his first since being sidelined with injury issues. Kuku has also tore up the Challenger circuit this year and upset both Alex Dolgopolov and Andreas Seppi this week. Gasquet should prove too much, however. The Frenchman won their lone head-to-head meeting in 2012 in straights. Gasquet in 2.
Ricky: Kushkin is an underrated shot-maker who can really get hot when he is on top of his game. That is the case this week, during which he has won seven matches–six in straight sets. This is, of course, a massive step up in competition for Kukushkin. Gasquet is wrapping up the most consistent season of his career and what better way to cap it off (at least prior to a possible World Tour Finals appearance) with a 10th title in his 20th final appearance? Kuku should make it entertaining, but Gasquet’s experience will be the difference. Gasquet in 3.
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