Thiem looks too talented for his Chengdu rivals

ATP Chengdu
Dominic Thiem is the headline act in Chengdu this week and in such a bottom-heavy draw it could pay to take the talented Austrian to justify favouritism.

Reigning champion Karen Khachanov, British hope Kyle Edmund and seasoned Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas are competing for one place in the final, whereas a title showdown looks Thiem’s for the taking.

The world number seven enjoyed a fruitful run to last 16 in the final Grand Slam of the season in New York and Friday’s Laver Cup triumph over towering American John Isner should have put him spot on for a title tilt.

Thiem’s biggest test in the top half is likely to come from rising star Andrey Rublev but the teenager is far from the finished article and he may struggle to bounce back quickly from his heroics at the US Open, where he reached the last eight.

At his best, Thiem would outclass his field and a first-round bye followed by a last-16 clash with Guido Pella or Borna Coric should see him grow in confidence.

Recommendation
D Thiem
2pts 2-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

ATP Shenzhen
The cream tends to rise to the top in Shenzhen - Tomas Berdych and Andy Murray have won the three previous titles - and in their absence the door could be left open for David Goffin.

The second seed reached the last 16 of the US Open and he showcased his wellbeing with wins over Australian pair Nick Kygrios and John Millman in Belgium's recent 3-2 Davis Cup triumph.

Goffin has an excellent chance of claiming his third ranking title. The world number 12 has dominated his meetings with fellow bottom-half seeds Donald Young (1-0), Joao Sousa (4-1) and Paolo Lorenzi (2-0) and if he shows his best he shouldn't have trouble reaching the final.

The top half sees the sensational Alexander Zverev tackle his older brother Mischa but on current form they could be tough to split and Goffin makes most appeal.

Recommendation
D Goffin
1pt 9-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

WTA Wuhan Open
There is plenty of talent on offer in the WTA Wuhan Open with Elina Svitolina and Venus Williams the only two absentees from the world's top ten and two-time winner Petra Kvitova may be the one to side with.

The classy Czech beat Dominika Cibulkova in the final last year after silencing Eugenie Bouchard in 2014 and, at a venue she thrives at, 14-1 could prove a touch overpriced.

Kvitova has had to overcome horrific hand injuries she suffered when she was attacked earlier this year but her quarter-final berth in New York earlier this month showed her in rude health and as defending champion it's unlikely she's lacking fitness.

She has world number one Garbine Muguruza drawn in her quarter but the Spaniard looked tired when succumbing to a straight-set defeat against Caroline Wozniacki in Japan this week and a busy season may be taking its toll.

Other seeds in Kvitova's section include rising star Jelena Ostapenko, who has lost two of their previous three hard-court meetings, and Kristina Mladenovic, who is worryingly out-of-sorts.

The tournament started late Saturday night but Kvitova kicks off her title defence with a bye and looks a shade of value in her bid to go all the way.

Recommendations
P Kvitova
1pt each-way 14-1 bet365

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