Comfortable draw hands Gilles Simon a chance in Sydney

ATP Sydney International

Albert Ramos-Vinolas is the top seed for Sydney’s International tournament, but he’s a fair way down the list of likely winners as there are plenty of hard-court specialists on show.

It has been refreshing to see Gilles Simon return to something like his best in the last few months and the master returner could definitely have been given a more difficult draw.

Fitness could be an issue as he won in Pune last week but he was impressive throughout, dispatching Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson with relative ease, and there could be more to come from him now that he has rediscovered the winning habit.

Recommendation
G Simon
1pt each-way 12-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

ATP Auckland Classic

Auckland has been hit with torrential rain in the last week and fans will be hoping that the tournament goes ahead without hiccups.

Some big names are set to take part, including top seed Jack Sock, Juan Martin Del Potro and John Isner, as well as British contender Kyle Edmund who will be hoping that his ankle injury from Brisbane is not too serious.

The one to appeal most though is youngster Andrey Rublev, who is improving rapidly and put up some impressive performances in Qatar last week.

The draw has been relatively kind to the Russian, and he can take advantage of his match practice to advance a long way in the competition.

Recommendation
A Rublev
1pt each-way 22-1 bet365

WTA Sydney International

Angelique Kerber bounced back to formin the Hopman Cup, dismissing some decent players, and she can complete a proper comeback by winning in Sydney.

It’s a hot tournament this year, with Wimbledon winner Garbine Muguruza and veteran Venus Williams in the field, as well as a smattering of other useful players.

However, Kerber at her best is a Grand Slam winner and she looks as though she’s back to that level. She has clearly had a good preparation for this and should be a tough nut to crack.

Recommendation
A Kerber
1pt each-way 10-1 general

WTA Hobart International

Katerina Siniakova has been one of the success stories of the women’s tour in recent months and she again put up a fine performance when finding only Simona Halep too strong in Shenzhen.

There was no disgrace in that, particularly considering she managed to win a set, and with no Halep in opposition this week she goes into the tournament with strong credentials.

She could find Alize Cornet toughest to handle on her way to the final but the Frenchwoman has not warmed up for this and Siniakova goes into the competition on a roll.

Recommendation
K Siniakova
1pt each-way 14-1 Sky Bet

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