ATP Cup: day one predictions and best bets for the Melbourne team competition

Free tennis tips, best bets and analysis for the ATP Cup, which starts in Melbourne on Monday.

Where to watch

Amazon Prime, starts 11pm Monday

Best bet

Milos Raonic to win 2-0 v Dusan Lajovic
2pts 5-6 Betfair

Already advised by Adrian Humphries

Spain to win ATP Cup
1pt 3-1 general

Day one preview

Serbia start their ATP Cup defence against Canada, but they may not get off to the best of starts when Dusan Lajovic meets Milos Raonic.

Lajovic was a key figure in Serbia’s ATP Cup success last season, but overall it was a miserable 2020 for the 30-year-old from Belgrade.

Lajovic lost 17 of his final 22 matches in 2020, suffering straight-set defeats in the first round of each of his last four tournament appearances.

The world number 26 is far more convincing on clay, where he claimed his sole ATP Tour title in Umag in 2019 having earlier reached the Monte Carlo Masters final, and he looks easy prey for a rejuvenated Raonic.

The big-serving Canadian, who is a former Wimbledon finalist, has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons but he closed out last year with semi-final runs in Paris and St Petersburg.

Raonic also reached the quarter-final in Antwerp in late October to show that despite his ongoing injury issues all his ability remains intact.

The Canadian won their only previous hard-court meeting 6-3 6-3 and Betfair’s quote of 5-6 that he records another straight-set win over a confidence-dented Lajovic is worth capitalising on.

Novak Djokovic would be expected to level up matters between Serbia and Canada by beating Denis Shapovalov.

Spain, the 3-1 favourites advised by Racing Post Sport’s Adrian Humphries, open up against Australia, with Rafael Nadal and Alex De Minaur headlining the round-robin action.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport