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Andrey Rublev can prosper with back woes behind him

Aryna Sabalenka could go close to reaching the pinnacle

Andrey Rublev could enjoy a much more prosperous 2019
Andrey Rublev could enjoy a much more prosperous 2019Credit: Julian Finney

Andrey Rublev's 2018 season was blighted by a debilitating back injury, but reports from Russia suggest there are better times ahead for the Muscovite so it could pay to expect him to enjoy a good campaign.

Rublev, who was absent from the courts between April and July last year, starts 2019 at a lowly 68th as a result. But he is talented enough to end the new season ranked in the top 20.

He is 5-6 to finish the campaign in 34th place on the ATP Tour or better and considering he attained a singles ranking of 31 last February, that offer could be a snip.

There are few better young talents on the tour than Rublev and surely the only way is up for the 21-year-old.

Diego Schwartzman is a player in his prime and the diminutive Argentinian, 26, could continue to prosper on the majority of surfaces.

We know he's comfortable on clay – he won the first set of his French Open clash with Rafael Nadal last June – but Schwartz­man is equally effective on fast courts and he may have oppor­tunities to embark on telling runs in hard-court Grand Slams and Masters Series 1,000 events.

Schwartzman, who starts the campaign at 17th in the world, is 5-6 to finish the season ranked 22nd or better and with possibly better to come from a player who seldom gets injured, that can be taken.

Aryna Sabalenka can be considered in the betting to end the new season as world number one, and so punters should not miss the chance to back the dynamic Belarussian at odds-against to finish 2019 ranked in the top eight on the WTA chart.

Sabalenka, a hugely powerful performer with drive to match, starts the campaign ranked 13th. But considering the way she pummelled her opponents on the way to lifting trophies in New Haven and Wuhan last year, there is plenty more to come.

Coach Dmitry Tursunov says he's never seen a work ethic like Sabalenka's and that the world is her oyster. The Russian, who possessed lovely touch in his days on the ATP Tour, ended his play­ing career to work with someone who is considerably more driven on court than he ever was.

Novak Djokovic is unsurpris­ingly a short price to end the new season where he started it – that is, at the pinnacle – and the super Serb should oblige for odds-on backers.

One point of warning, though. Rafael Nadal looked to be playing seriously well when he found title-winning form in 2018 and the Spaniard could give Djokovic a run for his money.

There was precious little between the pair even when the roof was closed at Wimbledon on an unforgettable evening and with similar spirit Nadal, who is favourite to retain his French Open crown, could enjoy another fine campaign.

Recommendations
A Rublev to finish 2019 ranked 34th or better
2pts 5-6 Sky Bet
D Schwartzman to finish 2019 ranked 22nd or better
1pt 5-6 Sky Bet
A Sabalenka to finish 2019 ranked in top eight
3pts 11-10 Sky Bet


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Adrian HumphriesRacing Post Sport

Published on 27 December 2018inTennis tips

Last updated 17:31, 27 December 2018

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