Roger Federer will battle Pablo Cuevas for the inaugural Istanbul title on Sunday. The Estoril final, meanwhile, is pitting Richard Gasquet against Nick Kyrgios.
Istanbul Open: (1) Roger Federer vs. (3) Pablo Cuevas
It will be the first career meeting between Federer and Cuevas when the two veterans collide in the final of the Istanbul Open on Sunday. Federer has been far from dominant this week, with his road getting progressively tougher after an opening-round bye and a straight-set win over Jarkko Nieminen. The 33-year-old Swiss then survived Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 6-3 before overcoming Diego Schwartzman 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 on Saturday.
Cuevas dropped his first set of the tournament but has been in cruise control ever since. The 23rd-ranked Uruguayan defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, took care of Thomaz Bellucci 7-5, 6-3, and eased past Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-4. Cuevas will use the clay-court surface to his advantage by giving Federer yet another difficult test, but in the end the top seed’s experience should shine through. Federer owns 84 career ATP titles; Cuevas has three.
Pick: Federer in 3
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Estoril Open: (7) Nick Kyrgios vs. (5) Richard Gasquet
A rematch of an epic 2014 Wimbledon showdown is in the cards for Sunday’s Estoril final. Kyrgios evened his head-to-head series with Gasquet at 1-1 by saving nine match points en route to a 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, 10-8 upset at the All-England Club last summer. Gasquet had previously scored a 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-2 victory on the red dirt of a Davis Cup tie in France earlier in 2014.
Playing his first tournament since retiring from an Indian Wells match with a back injury, Gasquet did not drop a set on his way to the semis while dismissing Marinko Matosevic, Kenny De Schepper, and Nicolas Almagro. The 28th-ranked Frenchman then outlasted Bucharest champion Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(1) on Saturday. Kygrios is playing in his first career ATP final, but this is a player who loves the big stage and thrives on it. So many matches in such a short time is not something Gasquet has experienced since early February, and the workload may catch up with him–especially against such a talented opponent.
Pick: Kyrgios in 3
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Kyrgios for the win on clay?
Federer i think he will lose in 3
I want Kyrgios to win, but Gasquet should be able to handle him on clay
Kyrgios and Federer.
#Obvious
Happy to see I was wrong about Kyrgios. Lost in two.
Guy’s an idiot.
Why is Rafa susceptible to losing to idiots?
Kyrgios, Soderling, Rosol and now Fognini.
Just saying.
“Guy’s an idiot.”
It’s never too late to see the light…………..
No, I always thought he was an idiot.
If he ever matures, look out.
Federer had a lot of trouble beating Cuevas, but Ceuvas did beat Dummy yesterday so he can play o clay
Federer wins first clay event since Madrid Masters 2012
#smurfclay
Blue clay is also a type of clay. Hope that helps.