ATP Rome Preview
The build-up to the French Open continues with more top action this week on the ATP and WTA. After the thrills and spills of Madrid it is on to Rome now for another ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. Alexander Zverev got his hands on the title in Madrid over the weekend without dropping a set along the way. That means that the German has seen his odds cut for success out in Rome.
Zverev is the 7/1 second-favourite* (betting odds taken at 11:20 p.m. on May 13th, 2018) for ATP Rome on the back of his performance in Spain, but it is a tough thing to go out and win back to back events. With that having been said though Zverev is the reigning champion on the dirt in Italy so will have that extra pep in his step as he goes in search of a title defence.
Standing in his way is Rafael Nadal who set a new record during the ATP Madrid for the most consecutive sets won on clay. In his straight-sets win over Diego Schwartzman in the quarter finals, Nadal made it 50 straight sets won on clay ending John McEnroe’s 34 year old record. It didn’t help Nadal get the title though as he surprisingly lost to Dominic Thiem in the semi finals.
Nadal is the title leader in Rome with seven successes there before but he hasn’t got one in the bag since the 2013 season. It will be hard to not picture him at the business end of things as he fights back from his disappoint in Spain last week. Nadal is the 4/9 odds-on favourite with bet365* (betting odds taken at 11:20 p.m. on May 13th, 2018).
Other players in the mix are Dominic Thiem who was runner-up in Spain on the weekend and is the only other man in singles figures going into the event. Novak Djokovic is back for another crack but he hasn’t looked anywhere near his best or ready to get back to the winners circle in his current form. Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic really make up the list of main contenders in Rome, but Nadal looks a decent proposition this week.
ATP Rome Winner Odds*
Rafael Nadal 4/9, Alexander Zverev 7/1, Dominic Thiem 9/1, Novak Djokovic 14/1, Juan Martin Del Potro 14/1, Marin Cilic 22/1, bar 33/1* (betting odds taken at 11:20 p.m. on May 13th, 2018)
WTA Rome Preview
Petra Kvitova created history on the weekend as she became the first lady to win three Mutua Madrid Open titles. The Czech star got the better of Kiki Bertens in an epic battle in Spain. She won’t be competing in Rome this week after her efforts and heading up the market is Simona Halep at 5/1 odds* (betting odds taken at 11:20 p.m. on May 13th, 2018). Halep was stopped in the quarter finals of Madrid last week by Karolina Pliskova. Bertens incidentally had a great run in Rome last year and could be worth watching out for again.
Going back to Halep, she was a losing finalist here last season as she took as surprise hit against Elina Svitolina, who claimed her second Premier 5 title in Rome. Both Pliskova and Svitolina are in the field which as it usually does in the women’s’ game, looks wide open. A quick scan of the draw shows that Halep would have a tricky second-round match against either Victoria Azarenka or Naomi Osaka and opposing in her quarter of the draw is seventh seed Caroline Garcia.
Garbine Muguruza, Jelena Ostapenko and Jo Konta are the big guns in the second quarter of the draw and Maria Sharapova (two time champion) is knocking around there too. None of them really are looking great enough shape to go and launch a serious challenge at this title. Of them realistically it is Ostapenko, given her qualities on clay who could be expected to go the furthest of the lot at 16/1 odds* (betting odds taken at 11:20 p.m. on May 13th, 2018).
Muguruza, a great clay player did reach the semi-finals here last year but really struggled in Madrid last week. Pliskova has a tough quarter with Angelique Kerber in there and there would be a quarter-final duel with Elina Svitolina to come as well which would be pretty epic to look forward to. Serena Williams (who has won three of the last five editions) has withdrawn, but sister Venus is in the bottom half of the draw along with Caroline Wozniacki and the Dane has a pretty comfortable looking draw ahead of her really so could get up a head of steam.
WTA Rome Winner Odds*
Simona Halep 5/1, Karolina Pliskova 15/2, Elina Svitolina 11/1, Garbine Muguruza 11/1, Maria Sharapova 12/1, Caroline Wozniacki 14/1, Jelena ostapenko 16/1, Kiki Bertens 16/1, Daria Kasatkina 18/1, Victoria Azarenka 18/1, bar 25/1* (betting odds taken at 11:20 p.m. on May 13th, 2018)
Predictions
Back Nadal to get back to winnings ways in Rome, he won’t have taken the hit in Spain last week in great favour. As for the women’s field, it is wide open at the moment. Halep hasn’t quite gotten herself going on clay yet, so look for Karolina Pliskova, a final four finish in Madrid last week to get to the title.
