Pablo Cuevas is one win away from what would be an improbable grass-court title, while Steve Johnson is within reach of his first-ever winner’s trophy on the ATP Tour. It will happen for one those players on Saturday when they collide on the green stuff in Nottingham.
Pablo Cuevas and Steve Johnson will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in the final of the AEGON Open on Saturday afternoon.
Cuevas is the more experienced of the two competitors and has already captured five ATP titles, but his appearance in this title match is nothing short of a shocker. In fact, the 25th-ranked Uruguayan has won twice as many grass-court matches this week alone (four) than he previously had in his entire career at the ATP level (two). He booked his place in Saturday’s festivities by taking out Stephane Robert, Daniel Evans, Marcos Baghdatis, and an in-form Gilles Muller, surviving a trio of three-setters in the process.
“Yesterday and today, I beat some really good players on this surface,” Cuevas commented. “Gilles’ game is perfect for this surface. I’m so happy to win and it fills me with confidence. I’ve done a lot of work on grass. Now I move better and feel much more comfortable. This is my first time playing three or four matches in a week on grass and the feeling is good.”
Johnson had to play two matches on Friday in order to secure his spot in the title tilt. Resuming his quarterfinal contest against Kevin Anderson on serve at 3-4 in the third set, Johnson finished off the top-seeded South African 6-4. The world No. 38 came right back out and beat Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-4 in the semis. Johnson, who preceded those victories with straight-set defeats of John Millman and Vasek Pospisil, is through to his second career ATP final.
“I’m very happy to reach my second final and first on grass,” the sixth seed assured. “I liked the way I kept my composure and came back from the darkness delay…. Pablo’s played an outstanding tournament so it’s hopefully going to be a great match and I’m going to be a bit more comfortable in my second final than I was in my first.”
In addition to being more comfortable, the simple fact is that Johnson has been the undisputed best player this week. Throw the grass-court surface into the equation–even though Cuevas is clearly improving on it–and the American should be in line for the biggest moment of his professional career.
Pick: Johnson in 3
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Feel like I maybe shouldn’t be picking against Cuevas again after he’s denied me every time but still this is Stevie’s time. Getting cuevas in the finals on grass is a big opportunity for him and I have a feeling he won’t do what Muller did. Johnson for the win in 3.
as much as i dislike the incel, Stee BJ in 2 sets
It’s crazy to see Cuevas in a grass court final. I reckon he can win the whole thing now he’s there though. Johnson isn’t exactly someone who always delivers, and the experience of having won multiple titles stands the clay courter in good stead here. Having said that, i’ve not seen Johnson play this week, and the last time i did see him play was a poor straight sets defeat to Kozlov, so my view might be a little skewed. But wins over Baghdatis and Muller are evidence that Cuevas should be very competitive here. Cuevas in 3!
im telling everyone right now cuevas in 2 thanks me later $$$$
very unlikely
I’ll be here all 2 weeks during Wimbledon. Listen next time!
Ricky: I sent you an email on the 23rd re: emailing. I appreciate pre-Wimbledon is a hectic time for you, particularly this year as you are attending – I just wanted to check you had received the request and to know if you will be able to help in due course.
Hope the sun shines on Wimbledon this year and you enjoy your stay in London.
Fair play Johnson. A great end to a great week. Managed to watch the end of the first and the whole of the second set, and it was a performance worthy of a first atp title. i was leaning towards jaziri over him in the first round of wimbledon, but changed my tune now.
easy picking on Johnson. You’re welcome.
Let’s go Stevie!!