This week's ATP & WTA tournament betting previews, tips and where to watch

Tournaments start Monday

ATP Mercedes Cup
Amazon Prime, from 10am

Alexander Zverev is the top seed for the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart this week but while the German is a pretty versatile performer, he reminded his fans recently that grass is not his preferred surface.

The top half of the draw at the Weissenhof Club could come down to who out of Milos Raonic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga emerges from their eighth – the pair could well clash in round two.

Tsonga has been in fine nick this season and Raonic has shown that he can return well from injury layoffs, so it’s a difficult pick but ever so slight preference is for the Canadian.

Nick Kyrgios, one of the highest-ranked unseeded players in Stuttgart, could go well but focus continues to be a problem for the maverick Australian.

Instead, with neither Kyrgios nor Gael Monfils certain to be at their best this week, take a chance on the underrated Denis Kudla coming up trumps.

Marton Fucsovics looks a good thing to open with a victory over Jaume Munar, so back the Hungarian to successfully concede a handicap start of 3.5 games.

Recommendations
M Raonic
1pt 12-1 Betfair, Paddy Power
D Kudla
1pt each-way 100-1 Betfair, Paddy Power
M Fucsovics -3.5 games v J Munar
1pt 10-11 general

ATP Libema Open
Amazon Prime, from 10am

Stefanos Tsitsipas tops the bill in the Libema Open men’s singles in Den Bosch, but while the Greek’s positive attitude means he can hardly ever be ruled out, his title odds as top seed look a little short.

The same can be said of second and third seeds, Borna Coric and Alex de Minaur, although the Australian could be fired up having seen his good friend Ash Barty waltz away with her first major crown in Paris on Saturday.

However, while De Minaur has a viable title shout, the one who could take a world of beating this week is Taylor Fritz.

The American is still only 21 but it’s about time he started putting himself about more against the sport’s better players. He has the physique to become a superb fast-court player, whether on grass or hard courts, and has shown promise already this season so the oddsmakers are keeping Fritz on their side.

After an opener against a wild-card, Fritz could then have enough to surprise Coric. And after that, he may have only David Goffin, who has not been at his best in recent seasons, on the path to the final.

Frances Tiafoe should notch a first triumph over Joao Sousa in their third meeting.

Recommendations
T Fritz
1pt 18-1 Coral, Ladbrokes
F Tiafoe -2.5 games v J Sousa
1pt 4-5 Hills

WTA Libema Open
BT Sport 1, 10am

Kiki Bertens is the top seed in her homeland in the Libema Open women’s singles and the world number four could definitely be a force if she’s in the mood.

Bookmakers reckon either Bertens or second seed Aryna Sabalenka is highly likely to take the title, but in a potentially open heat it could pay to look further afield.

Alison Riske, who defeated Magdalena Rybarikova 6-7 6-2 6-2 in the Surbiton final, should enjoy a fine grass campaign, as should her Slovak victim in Surrey. Riske could again go close but this higher-class event may come a shade too soon for her.

Alison van Uytvanck may be worth chancing. The leggy Belgian is no stranger to shining on grass and could have more chance of upsetting compatriot Elise Mertens should they meet in round two than the outright odds suggest.

Slow-burner Kristyna Pliskova looks worth an interest with a handicap start of 2.5 games against Lesia Tsurenko.

Recommendations
A van Uytvanck
1pt 22-1 Betfair, Paddy Power
Kristyna Pliskova +2.5 games v L Tsurenko
1pt 4-5 Betway, RedZone

WTA Nature Valley Open

The Nature Valley Open in Nottingham is the weakest tournament this week but it could offer punters some excellent match-betting opportunities.

Caroline Garcia and Donna Vekic are the top seeds and while both merit respect – Vekic loves playing on grass and defeated Belinda Bencic in the French Open – it looks worth chancing a lesser light instead.

Jennifer Brady fits the bill. The powerful American has been handed a fine chance to win at least two rounds – she should have enough to see off seventh seed Shuai Zhang in her opener and greater fitness could give her an edge over compatriot Shelby Rogers should the pair clash in round two.

Brady would also have a shout against Maria Sakkari, Garcia or Dayana Yastremska and Vekic, Yulia Putintseva or Kristina Mladenovic, depending on who she meets.

Rogers looks the bet to upend Bol finalist Sara Sorribes Tormo, while Britain’s Harriet Dart has a fine chance to see off Vera Lapko, who has not been at her best this year.

Recommendations
J Brady
1pt each-way 18-1 Coral, Ladbrokes
S Rogers to beat S Sorribes Tormo
2pts Evs general
J Brady to beat Shuai Zhang
1pt 8-13 Paddy Power
H Dart to beat V Lapko
2pts 10-11 general