Tennis Betting Advice - July 2022

ATP Atlanta: Go USA at 6/1 and 16/1...

Sunday 24th July 2022

Ones to Watch this week – ATP Atlanta…

Good evening. The draws are out and the Outright Winner markets are starting to appear. We’re kicking off the week with a look at the men’s hard-court event in Georgia, USA…

On Friday we got some key prep done for ATP Atlanta. You can catch up on that email & analysis here. Having read that article, you won’t be surprised to find that I’m backing a couple of American players to do well here. And one man in particular can’t be ignored – JOHN ISNER.

Here’s a brief reminder of the need-to-know stats…

ATP Atlanta – since 2010:

[Tournament not played in 2020]

  • 11 out of 11 years – at least one American player in the final
  • 9 out of 11 – American winner
  • 4 of last 11 – all-American final

Go USA at 6/1 and 16/1…

John Isner accounts for a sizeable chunk of that USA-heavy roll-call. A graduate of the University of Georgia, he likes it in these parts. Big John’s Atlanta formbook is formidable:

  • Isner has made the Atlanta final 9 times in 11 visits – winning the title on 6 occasions

When he won the Atlanta Open last year, the big-serving, 6’10” American went off as a 6/1 shot. We can get the same odds again this time. While that’s not our usual Ones to Watch ‘big’ price, I’m happy to make an exception for a player with such a fine track record at this venue. The high-bouncing courts here at ATP Atlanta play right into the hands of big John’s big serve, which comes at you out of a tree. Prior to 2021, Isner’s previous two title runs here paid out at odds of 3/1 each. It could transpire that 6/1 ends up looking good by next Sunday night.

The 37-year-old six-time champion is in the bottom half of the 2022 Atlanta draw. In the top half, I want to get behind a younger American, who also looks primed to go well in front of the Team USA fans…

TOMMY PAUL has one ATP title to his name so far, lifting his maiden trophy on indoor hard courts in Stockholm at the end of last season. The 25-year-old is knocking on the door of the world Top 30 now. And if it wasn’t for Wimbledon losing its ranking points this summer, he’d probably already be there. A run to the Last 16 at SW19 was impressive.

I like Tommy’s head-down, business-like demeanour on court. He has a strong serve and a reliable groundstroke game, with the ability to both trade from the baseline, and move forward for a volley when the opportunity arises.

  • Across 2018 and 2019, Paul won 4 lower-tier ATP Challenger titles – 3 of which came on hard courts in the United States

A 1st-round encounter with 29-year-old compatriot Jack Sock does have the potential to be close, but the bookies are with Tommy as the match favourite – and I have to agree. The younger player looks to have fitness on his side, and if he can get through that one, then there’s no reason why Paul can’t be the next American to reach the finals here at the Atlanta Open.

The likes of 2019 semi-finalist Reilly Opelka (top seed this week), and 2016 winner Nick Kyrgios would be the obvious big servers to go with in this section. Along with 2019 champion Alex De Minaur, who makes up for his lack of height with phenomenal speed and athleticism. But with the combustible Kyrgios as the 9/2 (5.5) outright favourite, and Opelka and Minaur at 8/1 and 7/1 at best, respectively. I only want to be on one player at single-figure quotes this week, and that’s Isner. Paul is my second pick here, with 16/1 a decent Each Way price.

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Ones to Watch picks:

ATP Atlanta Atlanta Open

Outright Winner – Each Way (1/2 odds 1-2 places):

  • TOMMY PAUL @ 16/1 with the same firms

Other bookies to check with – yet to price up as of 8pm Sunday – include: Betfred, Boylesports, Unibet, 888 Sport, Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, Betway.

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Play starts in Atlanta from 3pm+ on Monday, UK time. Bookies will take down their Outright Winner markets during the day’s play.

P.S
There are four other tournaments starting from Monday morning. I’ll be in touch with any further picks for you, throughout the week.

Enjoy the tennis…

Best wishes,

Oliver Upstone

Tom Wilson

Ones to Watch