Florian can make most of fine fortune in Hamburg final

Florian Mayer claimed the biggest success of his career when lifting last season’s Halle Open and the German can claim a second ranking event title in successive years in his homeland by beating Argentinian Leonardo Mayer in the final of the Hamburg Open.

The German’s participation in the final may have been slightly fortunate given compatriot Philipp Kohlschreiber was forced to retire when leading by a set in Saturday’s semi-final, but Mayer’s results prior to that were impressive and home support is a serious boost to his chances.

The 33-year-old won the Romanian Open on the slower surface in 2011 and his victories over Russian Andrey Kuznetsov in the last 16 and Diego Schwartzman - who was one of the strongest clay-court performers in the Hamburg field - in the quarter-final suggests he’s still playing at the top of his game.

Leonardo won this event three years ago when defeating David Ferrer in the final but the world number 138 - who languishes 37 places below his German opponent in the rankings - has been on a steady decline since then and has gained most of his recent success at a lower level.

Shuai Peng has breezed through to the final of the Jiangxi Open, dropping just one set from her four matches, and the talented Chinese number two should make light work of youngster Nao Hibino.

Peng, a winner of this event in 2014, has a significant class edge over the Japanese number four and even if operating at 80 per cent of her best should run out a ready winner.

Fabio Fognini is 1-3 to win the ATP Swiss Open final in Gstaad–he takes on qualifier Yannick Hanfmann.

Recommendations
F Mayer
1pt 6-4 bet365, Betfred, Betway
S Peng to win 2-0
2pt 8-13 general

Already advised by Joe Champion (Jul 24)
F Fognini to win Swiss Open
1pt 8-1
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1pt 5-1