Finals preview and predictions: Gasquet vs. Zverev, Lorenzi vs. Estrella Burgos

Montpellier master Richard Gasquet will look to capture another title when he takes the court against Alexander Zverev on Sunday. In Quito, meanwhile, Palo Lorenzi and Victor Estrella Burgos are the last two men standing.

Open Sud de France: (3) Richard Gasquet vs. (4) Alexander Zverev

Nowhere is Gasquet better than he is in Montpellier. This is the 22nd-ranked Frenchman’s amazing fifth consecutive trip to the final and he is the two-time defending champion. He has improved to 20-3 lifetime at the tournament with victories this week over Malek Jaziri, Kenny De Schepper, and Benoit Paire.

Up next for Gasquet on Sunday is a first-ever meeting with Zverev. The 19-year-old German reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and pushed eventual runner-up Rafael Nadal to five sets before suffering a tough loss to Belgian Steve Darcis that ended Germany’s Davis Cup hopes last weekend. Zverev is back in gear in Montpellier with three-set defeats of Aljaz Bedene, Jeremy Chardy, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. So many three-setters and an opponent who has home-court advantage in addition to incredible confidence in Montpellier does not bode will for Zverev.

Pick: Gasquet in 3

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Quito Open: Victor Estrella Burgos vs. (3) Paolo Lorenzi

As good as Gasquet is on Montpellier, perhaps no one on tour is a specialist at a specific event quite like Estrella Burgos is in Quito. The 36-year-old is an unbelievable 14-0 there and is one win away from a third consecutive title. Estrella Burgos has never lifted any other trophy anywhere else on the ATP Tour. He finds himself in the final once again thanks to wins this week over Andrej Martin, Ivo Karlovic, Federico Gaio, and Thomaz Bellucci.

A fourth career meeting with Lorenzi (first at the ATP main-draw level) awaits Estrella Burgos on Sunday. Lorenzi is leading the head-to-head series 2-1, including 2-0 on clay, following a pair of 2014 Challenger victories. Estrella Burgos’ lone defeat of the Italian came via a 6-4, 6-1 decision during 2011 U.S. Open qualifying. Aiming for his second career title, Lorenzi is through to just his third ATP final with wins at the expense of Matthew Ebden, Rajeev, Ram, and Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The 35-year-old is playing well, but it is impossible to pick against Estrella Burgos in Quito.

Pick: Estrella Burgos in 3

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15 Comments on Finals preview and predictions: Gasquet vs. Zverev, Lorenzi vs. Estrella Burgos

  1. I checked for Hewitt, Safin, Ferrero, Gonzo, Coria and Nalby.

    Hewitt : 7 titles
    Safin : 1
    Ferrero : 1
    Gonzo : 1
    Coria : 1
    Nalby : 0

    Hewitt was also impressive!

    Nadal’s generation – the others:

    Berdych : 1
    Gasquet : 1
    Cilic : 1
    Monfils: 1

    Both generations have their fair share of teenage winners but I think Rafa’s generation is slightly better with more winning multiple titles while being teenagers; it’s no wonder they have two ATGs, two multiple slam winners and two one time slammers.

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