ATP Basel & Vienna: tournament previews and free tennis tips

Where to watch

Live on Amazon Prime, midday Monday

Best bets

Dominic Thiem to win ATP Vienna
1pt each-way 15-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Alexander Zverev to win ATP Basel
1pt each-way 6-1 general

ATP Vienna
Live Amazon Prime, play starts midday

Top seed Dominic Thiem has not gone beyond the quarter-final stage in four previous attempts in Vienna, but the Austrian ace has restored confidence after reigning supreme in the China Open earlier this month and looks ready to break his duck in his home event.

Thiem took care of a classy field in Beijing, downing Andy Murray, Karen Khachanov and Stefanos Tsitsipas on his way to a first tournament win in Asia.

Quarter-final victim Murray has since won four matches in Antwerp to reach his first ATP final for two years, while Greek grinder Tsitsipas made the semi-finals of a stellar field in Shanghai following victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.

And, providing Thiem can handle the added pressure of delivering in front of his home crowd, this assignment doesn’t look any tougher.

Thiem starts his Vienna venture against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, with Nikoloz Basilashvili, who the Austrian defeated in straight sets in Shanghai earlier this month, his likely second-round opponent.

With eighth seed Borna Coric struggling for form, the toughest quarter-final test could come in the shape of Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov.

However, Shapovalov trails Thiem 2-0 in their personal series and Sunday’s title showdown in Stockholm with Filip Krajinovic could see him operating below his best.

If there is an obstacle in the top half of the draw then rejuvenated Russian Andrey Rublev is the one. But he was also chasing silverware on Sunday - in Moscow - and it’s likely he was better prepared for competition in his home event than the trip to Vienna.

It would be a disappointment if Thiem didn’t eclipse his previous efforts in Vienna and an each-way wager looks a solid investment for a player seemingly performing close to the top of his game.

There are fewer dangers in the bottom half, where Russian powerhouse Khachanov would be fancied to prevail if turning up in peak shape.

ATP Basel
Live Amazon Prime, play starts midday

The Swiss Indoors in Basel once again revolves around the legendary Roger Federer, who is seeking a record tenth title in his home event.

Since 2006, the Swiss superstar has skipped Basel just once with those 12 tournament appearances featuring nine titles and three runner-up berths.

Federer is simply formidable on his own patch and, even at 38, can’t be opposed lightly with conditions proven to suit.

The world number three wasn’t disgraced in Shanghai last week, losing at the quarter-final stage in three sets to Alexander Zverev, and should be sharper with that run under his belt.

However, there is no hiding that Federer’s hard-court performances are starting to dip - he was beaten in a five-set thriller by Grigor Dimitrov in the last eight at the US Open - and that should be enough to swerve the short prices.

With second favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas drawn alongside Federer in the top half, an each-way wager on second seed Zverev is advised.

The German’s temperament can often be his downfall but there is no doubting his ability and he should be full of confidence having reached the final in Shanghai last time out.

Zverev has the beating of every player in the bottom half when on top form and last season’s Basel semi-finalist has what it takes to go at least one better.

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