Finals previews and predictions: Rublev vs. Mannarino, Shapovalov vs. Krajinovic

Andrey Rublev and Denis Shapovalov will face unseeded opponents in their respective final appearances on Sunday. Rublev is going up against Adrian Mannarino in Moscow, while Shapovalov awaits Filip Krajinovic in Stockholm.

VRB Kremlin Cup: (6) Andrey Rublev vs. Adrian Mannarino

Both Rublev and Mannarino will be bidding for their second ATP titles when they go head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Sunday. Rublev’s lone triumph came as a lucky loser at the 2017 Umag event, but he was among the favorites this time around in Moscow. In fact, the 21-year-old Russian arguably became the top favorite when an on-fire Daniil Medvedev withdrew following last week’s title in Shanghai. Rublev capitalized in the suddenly wide-open top section of the draw by beating Alexander Bublik, Egor Gerasimov, and Nikola Milojevic prior to Saturday’s 7-5, 6-4 victory over Marin Cilic. The world No. 31 is now 20-6 in his last 26 matches (18-6 in his last 24 in main draws).

The pressure will be off Mannarino after he finally got over the hump and captured his first and only title this summer in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Of course, the lack of pressure did not help much in the 44th-ranked Frenchman’s next final appearance–a straight-set loss to Alex de Minaur earlier this fall in Zhuhai. Mannarino, who has defeated Damir Dzumhur, Mikhail Kukushkin, Dusan Lajovic, and Andreas Seppi this week, is 1-7 lifetime in ATP finals. A more confident Rublev will also benefit from his superior firepower and should treat the home crowd to a victory.

Pick: Rublev in 2

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Intrum Stockholm Open: (6) Denis Shapovalov vs. Filip Krajinovic

Shapovalov and Krajinovic will be aiming for their first titles on Sunday in Stockholm; in fact, Shapovalov finally finds himself in a final for the first time in his career. It has not exactly been a long wait in terms of time for the Canadian, who is just 20 years old, but he had already been to seven ATP semifinals prior to this week and was 0-7 in those matches. That slump is over thanks to Saturday’s 7-5, 6-2 defeat of lucky loser Yuichi Sugita. Shapovalov preceded that result by beating Alexi Popyrin and Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in straight sets.

Krajinovic is 0-2 lifetime in ATP finals, having lost to Jack Sock in a surprising 2017 Paris championship match and to Matteo Berrettini on the red clay of Bucharest this spring. The 60th-ranked Serb is back in position following Stockholm victories over Casper Ruud, Dan Evans, Yoshihito Nishioka, and Pablo Carreno Busta. A well-rested Shapovalov has been cruising this week and he has played stellar tennis dating back to the start of the hard-court summer, so he should have the edge.

Pick: Shapovalov in 3

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