THIS WEEK’S TENNIS

April has already been the best month of 2017 with some amazing stats at TTL. With profits of +475 units achieved for betting tips (active win streak of 9 tips), an almost +50 unit jump on Spartan stats (another 9 active win streak!) and 2/2 successful pinnacle tips, this month has been one of the best for Tennis Trading League.

With the clay court season in full flow and the French open just around the corner, let’s see what’s in store for the coming days ..

WTA STUTTGART:

Favourites: Kerber and Halep

Kerber is the home favourite at Stuttgart but her form throughout this year hasn’t been great. Since clay is the weakest of her surfaces, I suggest avoiding backing her on the outrights.

On the contrary, Halep looked amazing at the recent Fed Cup in wins over Watson and Konta. Priced at around 6.00, the Romanian looks an excellent bet here.

Next Best Bets: Muguruza and Konta

Mugu’s favourite surface is Clay and if she can step up her game in the coming days, she may end up winning here in Germany. Odds of close to 10 look good on the defending French Open champ.

Even though Konta didn’t have a great Fed cup, she has played very aggressive Tennis throughout this year. Odds of close to 15 look value on the Brit at the moment.

Predicted Winner: Simona Halep

WTA ISTANBUL:

My Best Bets: Svitolina and Mertens

There are a few veterans playing this week in Istanbul – Errani and Petkovic but the obvious favourite looks like Svitolina who has played very consistent tennis throughout this week. Priced just over 3 on most bookmakers, I believe she is the right favourite for this tourney.

Having said that, Elise Mertens who is priced close to 30 on some bookmakers looks like incredible value as she played some magical tennis at the Fed Cup being the sole reason Belgium shocked Russia last week. She beat Pavlyuchenkova (6-4 6-0!) and Vesnina in three sets and then had to win the doubles match as well to achieve the incredible win for her home nation. Without a doubt, if she can continue this form, she will do very well not only in Istanbul this week but also at the French!

Predicted Winner: Svitolina

ATP BARCELONA:

Favourite: Nadal and Murray

No doubt Nadal is the right favourite after an incredible 10th title last week at Monte Carlo. At home in Spain, the Spaniard will only be harder to beat. These odds of 1.85 on Betfair outrights will very likely shoot down!

While Murray lost early at Monte Carlo last week, it must be noted that Albert Ramos was magical throughout that tournament. Personally, I think backing Murray on the outrights early on and laying him later (hopefully before the Final), looks a great strategy. The Scot is currently priced around 6.

Best Outright Bets: Zverev and Edmund

Zverev got hammered by Nadal at Monte Carlo but I still believe his game has generally improved a lot since last year. If he can step on serves, the German will always be hard to beat as he is a very consistent returner. Priced around 30 on most bookies, I feel there is good value on Zverev this week.

Kyle Edmund also got beaten by Nadal in Monte Carlo. However, after losing the first set 6-0 in that match, he forced a decider and had Nadal in all sorts of trouble. Odds of 67 (bwin, betway) look very decent at the moment on the young Brit considering he is on the opposite side of the draw as Nadal.

Predicted Winner: Nadal (obviously!)

ATP BUDAPEST:

Favourites: Pouille and Verdasco

Verdasco is a clay court veteran and with no Nadal, Djokovic or Murray to worry about, he should have a decent chance in this tournament.
Pouille on the other hand, though not known for his clay court talent, played an incredible tournament at Monte Carlo where he beat some very tough players like Cuevas. What impressed me the most was how well he served and also the aggression he showed in rallies.

Best outsider bets:

My best outsider tips are on Schwartzman and Coric who have both looked comfortable on Clay in the past few weeks. Priced over 10, these are 2 decent outsider bets for this tournament.

Predicted winner: Pouille

Good Luck!.

Patrick Ross