The clay court season moves on to Barcelona following an upset of sorts in Monte Carlo with Rafael Nadal falling at the semi-final stage and Fabio Fognini clinching the title. It promises to be a fascinating week in the Catalan capital as the French Open preparations step up. Here are our top Barcelona Open betting tips.
Tournament History
The Barcelona Open has been an integral part of the ATP Tour since 1953 and is the only ATP 500 Series event to be held in Spain. The event was originally part of the World Grand Prix Circuit and has a rich history within the European Clay Court season. The fact the event is only a 500 series isn’t a deterrent for the biggest names in the game as once again in 2019 a stellar field has been assembled.
Format
The Monte Carlo Rolex Masters is a 48 player draw with the top 16 seeds in the draw receiving byes to the second round.
Venue
The event has always been held at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona – one of the most prestigious clubs in the city. In 2017, the centre court was renamed ‘Pista Rafa Nadal’ in homage to the Mallorcan great.
Dates
Monday 22nd April 2019 – Sunday 29th April 2019.
Previous Winners
The Barcelona Open, like many of the events during the European clay court swing, is synonymous with Rafael Nadal who possesses one of the all-time records in any sport. He has 11 titles to his name in Barcelona, a feat he has also achieved at Roland Garros and in Monte Carlo. Swedish great Mats Wilander is a distant second behind Nadal with 3 wins to his name whilst Bjorn Borg, Thomas Muster, Kei Nishikori and Ivan Lendl have all picked up the historic trophy on two occasions each.
2019 Tournament Preview
The tennis world came to a standstill last week following Fabio Fognini’s dismantling of Rafael Nadal in the Monte Carlo semi-finals and both men will be looking to hit the heights again this week. Dominic Thiem tends to play his best stuff on clay whilst Stefanos Tsitsipas enjoyed his big breakthrough at this event last season. Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev will be looking to find form with the French Open looming and former winner Kei Nishikori could also feature heavily this week.
2019 Barcelona Open Preview
Men’s Outright Winner Odds:-
Rafael Nadal’s vice like grip on the Barcelona Open will be put to the test once again this week in the Catalan sunshine.
Here are some of our favourites for the Barcelona Open title:-
Rafael Nadal – 8/13 (Bet365)
Despite his shock defeat to Fabio Fognini last week, Rafael Nadal is very much the king of clay and in the absence of Djokovic and Federer will be the main man here. He is chasing his 12th Barcelona Open title and he will take some stopping as he looks to bounce back in style.
Dominic Thiem – 7/1 (Ladbrokes)
Last year’s French Open finalist tends to play his best stuff on the clay and he’ll be relishing being the number 2 seed this week. He disappointed in defeat to eventual finalist Dusan Lajovic last week in Monte Carlo and he’ll be eager to bounce back with Roland Garros around the corner.
Alexander Zverev – 11/1 (Bet365)
The German is in danger of seeing this season slip through his fingers and he’ll be keen to arrest the slide here. His early exits in Morocco and Monte Carlo will be of serious cause for concern but he possesses all of the tools needed to be a threat during the clay court season.
Kei Nishikori – 18/1 (Unibet)
Two-time Barcelona Open champion Kei Nishikori will be disappointed with his showing in Monte Carlo but he has form here in Catalonia. He is seeded 4th in Barcelona and won’t enjoy the prospect of meeting Rafael Nadal in at the semi-final stage but he certainly has the game to go deep this week.
Stefanos Tsitsipas– 20/1 (William Hill)
The Greek wonderkid enjoyed his breakthrough at this event last season and despite seeing his run ended by Nadal in the final, he has continued his meteoric rise through the rankings this season and sits in the top 10 in the world. He was edged out in the last 16 in Monte Carlo and he’ll be hoping to go better here.
Daniil Medvedev – 22/1 (888sport)
One of the many Russian prospects on the ATP tour at the moment, Daniil Medvedev looks to have a very bright future ahead of him. His victory over Novak Djokovic last week was testament to his talents and he’ll be hoping to kick on here and break into the world’s top 10.
Fabio Fognini – 28/1 (Betsson)
The fiery Italian picked up his maiden Masters 1000 title last week and did so in style – beating Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. He is another man on the fringes of the world’s top 10 and whilst unquestionably being a clay court specialist, his mercurial talents look to be coming to the fore very much this season.
David Goffin – 50/1 (Royal Panda)
The cultured Belgian has struggled to scale the heights he did in 2017 – where he won the ATP World Tour Finals but his form has improved in recent weeks. He is knocking on the door of the world’s top 20 once more and he’ll be hoping to go the distance in Barcelona this week.