Tennis 2020 season preview, free tips and predictions

Betting preview, free tips and predictions for the 2020 tennis season.

Best bets

Matteo Berrettini to finish 2020 ranked in the top eight
1pt 9-4 Sky Bet
Alex De Minaur to finish 2020 as the highest ranked Australian
2pts 8-11 Sky Bet
Elina Svitolina to finish 2020 ranked in the top eight
1pt 6-4 Sky Bet

Matteo Berrettini is a player to watch in 2020

Matteo Berrettini enjoyed a breakthrough 2019, rising from outside the world’s top 50 to number eight in the rankings, and the Italian could go from strength to strength as he gains experience and grows in belief.

The 23-year-old Rome native, armed with a strong serve and devastating forehand, announced himself as one of the fiercest competitors on tour and capped off a stellar season with title triumphs in Budapest and Stuttgart.

Having now secured silverware on grass and clay, as well making the semi-finals at the US Open, Berrettini is evidently versatile regarding surface and his heroics at Flushing Meadows show he is mentally prepared for the biggest of tests.

Berrettini also became the first Italian to win a match at the ATP Finals following his group stage victory over Dominic Thiem and there is no reason to think he can’t take another step up the ladder.

Sky Bet go 9-4 that Berrettini finishes the year where he started it - inside the world’s top eight - and that looks good value.

Novak Djokovic favourite to end 2020 as world number one

Novak Djokovic is 5-6 with the same firm to finish the year as world number one, with old foe Rafael Nadal a 11-8 poke. It is 14-1 bar the big two.

Nick Kyrgios may be the most talented Australian player on tour but his on-court antics and recurring injuries make him a risky punting proposition.

Alex De Minaur, the world number 18 who closed the 2019 campaign 12 places higher than his maverick compatriot, is far more dependable and should eclipse Kyrgios’ achievements for a second season in succession.

Kyrgios is not as focused as 20-year-old De Minaur, who is on an upward curve and should be confident in his ability after winning three hard-court titles in Atlanta, Sydney and Zhuhai last season.

Elina Svitolina should stay in WTA elite

Elina Svitolina finished 2019 at world number six, her third consecutive top eight finish, and the reliable Ukrainian should be backed at odds-against to emulate that feat.

Although failing to scoop silverware, it was a successful campaign for Svitolina who finished runner-up to Ashleigh Barty at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen and registered semi-final appearances at both Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows.

Svitolina also reached the quarter-finals at Australia’s Grand Slam and her consistency in the sport’s showpiece events should ensure she lives up to her lofty ranking.

The 25-year-old is extremely versatile and one of the best returners on tour and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if she finally breaks her duck at the top table.

Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep, Bianca Andreescu and Naomi Osaka - the four Major winners from last season - should all justify their heavy odds-on quotes, but current number ten Serena Williams makes less appeal at 11-10.

The 38-year-old American is without a Grand Slam title since winning in Melbourne in 2017, even though she has made four of the last eight finals, and her appearances elsewhere could be limited as she focuses on adding to her illustrious haul of 23 Majors.

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