If Stockholm Open: (1) Tomas Berdych vs. (2) Grigor Dimitrov
Ricky: Dimitrov leads the head-to-head series 3-1, including 2-0 on hard courts. The Bulgarian is obviously an even better player now that he was during those two meetings (2009 and 2012), but Berdych will know what the expect this time and will be better-suited to deal with his opponent’s great athleticism and defensive skills. A fast indoor hard court will help the top seed’s effort to keep points short and play first-strike tennis. Berdych has rolled this week, whereas Dimitrov was let off the hook by Jack Sock and–to a lesser extent–Bernard Tomic. Berdych 6-3, 6-7, 6-3.
Steen: I had a Dimitrov-Berdych final, as did Ricky when the week started, and I’m sticking with my original pick of Berdych for the title. Like Andy Murray in Vienna, the Czech has been playing well this fall and I feel he will deny Dimitrov the honor of repeating as Stockholm champion. Berdych’s power should prove to be too much for the smooth Bulgarian, who has shown more weaknesses in his game this week. Like with Roberto Bautista Agut in Moscow, I’m not going to pick against a player who hasn’t lost a set this week, compared to one who has. Berdych 7-5, 7-6.
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Kremlin Cup: (5) Roberto Bautista Agut vs. (2) Marin Cilic
Ricky: Based on current form, especially Cilic’s natural dip in play and intensity since winning the U.S. Open, I would take Bautista Agut to get the best of this matchup…on clay or on a very slow hard court. This is neither. Cilic owns a considerable edge in firepower thanks to his much-improved serve under Goran Ivanisevic and his forehand has become way more consistent without losing aggressiveness. The Croat has been far from dominant in Moscow, but he looked really good in the last two sets against Mikhail Kukushkin on Saturday. Although RBA has two titles this season, his two career triumphs pale in comparison to Cilic’s 12 in the experience department. Cilic 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.
Steen: When Milos Raonic lost his first match in Moscow, a Bautista Agut vs. Cilic final seemed almost assured to me, and that is what we have. Both players have had excellent seasons and another ATP title would be well-deserved. This is their first head-to-head meeting and I’m going to break from conventional wisdom and pick Bautista Agut to win it. He has played better this week, having not dropped a set, while Cilic has had to grit himself past both Evgeny Donskoy and an in-form Kukushkin. Something seems a little off with Cilic right now, and that should be enough to swing this result in RBA’s favor. Bautista Agut 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
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Berdych has looked far more confident this week and is still fighting for one of the remaining berths for the WTF so his motivation will be sky high. But it could well take three sets to do it.
Berdych in 3
Agree with Ricky Cilic’s experience should carry him through but if RBA keeps his head it could be three tight sets.
Cilic in 3
Berdych;
RBA
I like Berdych as well…he really wants to get in the top 8 and he seems focused. I’ll take RBA in the other final.
Oh RBA………..
C’mon Berdy!
Berdy!