ATP Italian Open outright winner odds, predictions and tennis betting tips: Home favourite Sinner may be vulnerable on his comeback

When does the ATP Italian Open start?

ATP Rome begins at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Italy, on Wednesday, May 7.

Where to watch the ATP Italian Open in the UK

Live on Sky Sports Tennis, from 10am Wednesday

Best bets for the ATP Italian Open 

Stefanos Tsitsipas
0.5pt each-way 40-1 general

Francisco Cerundolo
0.5pt each-way 40-1 bet365 & BoyleSports

ATP Italian Open predictions

World number one Jannik Sinner returns to action following his three-month doping ban in his home event in Rome, but the Italian could be best watched on his first appearance since winning the Australian Open title in January.

It would be no surprise to see Sinner figure on his comeback, but the top seed insists expectations are low as he finds his feet back on the ATP Tour and that makes him a vulnerable-looking favourite.

Reigning French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz also has a point to prove after withdrawing from competition in Madrid last time out with an adductor injury, so there is potential for this Masters 1000 title to throw up a surprise or two.

The big two are on opposite sides of the draw and it could be worth having an each-way interest in both, and Stefanos Tsitsipas is the first port of call alongside Alcaraz in the bottom half.

The Greek talent was runner-up to Novak Djokovic in Rome in 2022, was a semi-finalist a year later and then made the quarter-final 12 months ago, so these slower conditions seem to play to his strengths.

It was only March when Tsitsipas claimed a big title at the Dubai Tennis Championships and, having also made the French Open final in 2021, he is a danger to all on clay when he puts his best foot forward.

Second seed Alexander Zverev is in his mini section of the draw but the German has had a poor season since making the Australian Open final in January, citing mental burnout as the reason behind his dip in form.

If Sinner underwhelms in the top half then Francisco Cerundolo, who he could meet in the last 16, looks the man ready to capitalise.

The Buenos Aires native was a semi-finalist in Madrid most recently, having defeated Zverev and Miami champion Jakub Mensik before bumping into a fired-up Casper Ruud, and he has made five ATP Tour finals on clay. 

Cerundolo has made the quarter-final in three of the four Masters 1000 events this season, showing himself to be one of the most consistent performers on the ATP Tour, and he also made the last eight in Rome two years ago.

Read more sport predictions ...

WTA Rome outright winner odds, predictions and tennis betting tips: Clay-court queen Swiatek to rule in Rome again 

IPL Predictions & Betting Tips for Wednesday: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings 

Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.