ATP Cup: predictions, analysis 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

Spain to win ATP Cup
1pt 3-1 general

Tournament preview

Spain are the favourites to win this year's rendition of the ATP Cup, but the 3-1 being offered ante-post by oddsmakers could prove to be a generous price.

Team tennis is all about the strength of the squad rather than individual performers, so cup-holders Serbia could struggle to keep hold of the trophy with a potentially weak fourth man in Nikola Cacic.

Presumably he will partner either Dusan Lajovic or Filip Krajinovic in doubles action, but whatever happens that set-up looks potentially more vulnerable than Spain's solid foursome.

Rafael Nadal heads the line-up and the world number two is supported by Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and doubles ace Marcel Granollers. It would not be a surprise to see Granollers partner Bautista Agut on occasions, because Carreno Busta is a fine singles performer in his own right.

Russia are hugely respected by bookmakers and they could pose big problems for other nations with Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev on singles duty. But the country's third and fourth players, Aslan Karatsev and Evgeny Donskoy, look up against it in Melbourne and their star duo could find themselves under pressure.

The price of Group C favourites Austria looks short considering US Open champion Dominic Thiem may have to do much of the work on his own. Dennis Novak will do his best and Philipp Oswald is no mug at doubles, but they may do well to win their section, let alone the cup.

Austria's group rivals France and Italy have registered strong squads - both nations have decent doubles pairings - and this all-European section could take some winning.

Two WTA 500 tournaments, the Yarra Valley Classic and the Gippsland Trophy, are due to start in Melbourne early on Sunday morning.

Ashleigh Barty, a 5-1 chance, is shading 11-2 Serena Williams for favouritism in the Yarra Valley event, which also includes Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, who is a 15-2 shot, 17-2 Petra Kvitova and 9-1 Garbine Muguruza.

Meanwhile, in the Gippsland event Naomi Osaka heads the outright betting at 9-2, with Simona Halep and Aryna Sabalenka 11-2 shots.

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