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:Â 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:Â Estrella Burgos in 3
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WWW?
VEB in three and gasquet in two
Commiserations to Ricky
Yes.
Agree with ed.
Wow, bravo for Zverev brothers! Young Zverev winning two titles! Great job!
RT @NNemeroff: Titles at age of 19:
Roger Federer: 1
Alexander Zverev: 2
Rafael Nadal: 16
How about young Djoko and young Murray? Or young Delpo?
young Delpo: 4
young Djoko: 3
young Murray: 0
Young Roddick: 5
Wow! Young Roddick had five titles! I did not realize that! His problem was Fed. He never could beat him and it cost him dearly.
It’s interesting to see how the players did when they were young. Rafa was a teenage phenom, just like Borg!
No, I think Djoko had five before turning 20 (including a Masters at Miami in 2007); Murray had two, both at San Jose, before turning 20 in May 2007.
Right you are.
In fact Murray was able to defend his title at San Jose, quite impressive; not many can defend their title(s).
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.
Its interesting when they won their first major,Delpo 19,Nole 20 Nadal 18 etc etc.Maybe this will be Zverevs year.