After losing his final five matches of the season, Italian Luciano Darderi was able to get the better of Tabilo and begin the new year with a win. Winning is something his opponent has done a lot of in 2026 with an impressive 5-1 start to his season. He lost to eventual champion alexander Bublik in the semi finals in Hong Kong and will be very confident after having defeated Darderi in straight sets in Eastbourne last year. Taking him to replicate that outcome here. Bet Now Ben Shelton vs Sebastien Baez 12:40pm* Thursday | Centre Court Baez +3.5 ($2.10)…

A year ago, Nuno Borges played some of the best tennis of his career to make the semi finals of the ASB Classic (lost to Bergs). Keen to accumulate some early ranking points, he ventured to Hong Kong last week where he beat the duo of Dzumhur and Cilic before losing to Rublev. Etcheverry has followed the same path and took the first set off Musetti before being outplayed thereafter. There isn’t much between these two who play a similar grinding style but leaning to Borges for two reasons – his form in this tournament a year ago and his…

Several top players have decided that the best way to prepare for the Australian Open is to play in Aukland this week. That including Shelton, Ruud and Mensik who are all ranked in the top 20. Cameron Norrie returns to the city he once called home with Michelsen, Monfils, Darderi, Baez and the big hitting Mpetshi-Perricard among the other notable names in the field. We kick things off with veteran Adrian Mannarino who takes on qualifier Eliot Spizzirri. Adrian Mannarino vs Eliot Spizzirri 11:30am Monday | Centre Court Spizzirri WIN @ $1.55 This is a very tricky opening round match…

We were on the mark in the first semi with Wang winning a three set contest and delivering us a $5.25 winner. Jovic made an excellent start breaking the Svitolina serve twice to open the match and take a 3-0 lead. The top seed was able to claw her way back to win the first in a breaker before running away with it in the second set. She has been installed as an overwhelming favourite to win the final and a contributing factor is a dominant 6-2 6-1 win over Wang in their only prior meeting. That clash came almost…

It was smooth sailing for both women in their respective quarter final matches with Wang again winning a high number of return points (49%). Eala was above 50% in that department in her win over Linette but was vulnerable on her own serve winning 9 of 23 second serve points (39%). It is an area which Wang will look to attack and will do so with success. These two will trade breaks of serve throughout the match and if it goes the distance, we could see them break serve 5+ times each. Eala has the bigger first serve while Wang…

A 6-2 6-0 win for Costoulas over Quevedo was a surprise to say the least but was largely due to the performance of her opponent. Quevedo, already having the best week of her young career, was evidently fatigued. Costoulas made a mediocre 38% of 1st serves and that simply will not cut it against Jovic. That said, Jovic was broken 5 times by Bejlek which suggests the straight sets victory was far from routine. Jovic was a slow starter in her opening match against Knutson (lost first set) and was pushed in both sets by Bejlek. Costoulas has played some…

On paper, this is the marquee matchup of the day. Svitolina has been one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour in the last two years and Boulter has proven that she can be dangerous when at her best. The Brit made three finals in 2024 (winning in San Diego and Nottingham) before a very lean 2025. Their only prior meeting came back in 2020 with Svitloina winning in straight sets. There was much to like about Boulter’s opening round win over Starodoubtseva including 5 breaks of serve in the straight sets win. Making inroads on the Svitolina…

Coming through the qualifiers seems to have worked in the favour of both women and a deep run this week for either one would see them climb into the top 100. Quevedo broke the Stearns serve five times in her 1st Round match and did it on the back of winning 67% of 2nd serve return points. Her game plan here will be to place the Costoulas 2nd serve under immense pressure and it is the single factor that will determine the outcome of this contest. Costoulas won 82% of 1st serve points against Osuigwe but only 38% when forced…

Last year was supposed to be the Venus Williams farewell tour but it has suddenly been extended. She was victorious in only one of her five matches played last year and has registered just four wins in a period of 5+ years. There is some hope though as Linette has lost 8 of her last 9 matches including players ranked outsider the top 50. Venus was competitive in multiple matches and will always be able to rely on her serve to win points. Can see her winning a set so will be backing the Overs. Bet Now Elina Svitolina vs…