This week's tournaments tips and tennis betting previews

ATP Rotterdam

Bookmakers go 6-1 the field in Rotterdam and, as the betting suggests, it is a trappy heat with at least ten runners considered as serious candidates for the title.

However, some evidently hold stronger claims than others and there is a lot to like about the chances of Tomas Berdych.

Although getting on at the age of 33, Berdych is still one of the most consistent performers on tour, regularly going deep in Grand Slams without quite threatening to win one.

The former world number four was forced to miss Wimbledon and the US Open last season due to a back injury and has taken a slide in the rankings as a result.

However, Berdych is starting to getting back into shape and the early signs this year suggest he can still challenge at the top table.

The big-serving Czech made the final of the Qatar Open in January, reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and was a semi-finalist in last week's Open Sud de France.

His confidence is surely growing and Berdych, who can reel off service games in little time, should not be underestimated.

Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic represent the biggest threats in the top half of the draw but that is reflected in the market and Berdych could be the value call.

Recommendation
T Berdych
1pt each-way 12-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

ATP New York

Kevin Anderson was forced to withdraw from his New York title defence with an elbow injury and one of his victims last season, Frances Tiafoe, could capitalise in his absence.

Tiafoe was beaten in a deciding set at the quarter-final stage by Anderson 12 months ago but, with the big-serving South African sidelined and last season’s runner-up Kei Nishikori opting to compete in Rotterdam, the title should take far less winning this year.

The American youngster continues to improve and, despite being just 21 years old, has worked his way up to 29th in the world.

A run to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open last month played a pivotal part in Tiafoe’s rise in the rankings as he pulled off wins over Anderson, Andreas Seppi and Grigor Dimitrov.

The Maryland man was eventually halted by Rafael Nadal but there’s little shame in that defeat and the competition in New York is clearly weaker.

A first-round bye means Tiafoe has to win just three matches to make the final. Sam Querrey is a potential last-eight opponent but he has little recent form in the book while Steve Johnson, a potential semi-finalist, has also started the year slowly with first-round defeats in Auckland and the Australian Open.

Tiafoe is fancied to make the final, where he could meet top seed and market leader John Isner, and armed with a favourable draw, odds 9-2 may underestimate his chances.

Recommendation
F Tiafoe
1pt 9-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

ATP Buenos Aires

Dominic Thiem’s two previous visits to Buenos Aires have resulted in success and the Austrian ace is a warm order to complete the hat-trick.

Thiem overhauled King of the Clay Rafael Nadal on his way to winning the title in 2016 and didn’t a drop a set in regaining his crown last season, so is understandably going to attract backers on his favoured slower surface.

However, at 6-5 Thiem looks short enough especially as he is housed in the same section as esteemed clay performers Diego Schwartzman, David Ferrer and Pablo Cuevas.

The each-way alternative, however, could be Marco Cecchinato, who simply looks too big at 16-1 in the far less competitive bottom half.

The Italian third seed made the semi-finals of the French Open last season, recording wins over Pablo Carreno Busta, David Goffin and Novak Djokovic.

Thiem eventually had his measure in the last four but it was evidence that the clay suits Cecchinato's game and it’s unlikely any of his bottom-half challengers could produce performances of the same standard.

Cecchinato disappointed at last week’s Cordoba Open but he should have come on plenty for the spin and punters can expect a much better showing.

Recommendation
M Cecchinato
1pt each-way 16-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

WTA Doha

There's fierce competition in Doha with six of the world’s top ten on show and 2017 champion Karolina Pliskova could be the one for punters to support.

The classy Czech has made a solid start to the campaign, highlighted by last month’s victory in the Brisbane International.

She then followed up with a last-four berth in the opening Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne, beating Garbine Muguruza and Serena Williams before losing in three sets to champion Naomi Osaka.

On that form, Pliskova’s credentials are crystal clear and she should take her task seriously at a venue where she has enjoyed success.

Recommendation
K Pliskova
1pt 5-1 bet365

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