Tournament Preview
The final push of the 2019 season gets underway in China as both the ATP and WTA tours roll on to Beijing with precious end of season points to play for. Here are our top China Open 2019 betting tips and predictions.
Tournament History
The China Open has been a prominent event on the calendar since its inception in 2004. Initially, the event was held in a back to back format with the women’s competition taking place the week before the men’s but since 2008 the event has been merged – giving fans the opportunity to see the world’s best in both the male and female game. The event also made history in 2006 as it was the first competition outside of the USA to introduce the Hawk-Eye system that is such an integral part of world tennis today.
Format
The event is both an ATP Masters 500 and WTA Premier Mandatory Event meaning whilst it’s a fourth tier event for the men, it is one of the biggest 5 events on the women’s calendar and is mandatory for all players who wish to maintain their ranking points for the season. With the draw being complete in just one week, the 56 players competing can expect a hectic schedule for the first part of the Asian swing.
Venue
The event takes place at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing – which was home to the tennis event at the 2008 Olympic Games. Much like all the events in the Asian swing, the tournament is played on a hard court in preparation for the WTA Tour Finals in Singapore and ATP Tour Finals in London.
Dates
Monday 30th September – Sunday 6th October 2019.
Previous Winners (Men’s)
For a fourth tier tour event, the China Open has a prestigious list of winners as it enters its second decade of prominence on the ATP Tour. Novak Djokovic has won the event on six previous occasions whilst Rafael Nadal last picked up the crown in 2017. Other notable winners include Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Tomas Berdych.
Previous Winners (Women’s)
The Premier Mandatory status attached to the women’s event guarantees some of the biggest names in the game will be in attendance. Serena Williams is one of three players to have won the event twice – most recently in 2013. Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova and Pole Agnieszka Radwanska have both won the event twice whilst last year’s champion Caroline Wozniacki will be back to defend her title.
2019 Tournament Preview
Men’s:
The absence of the ‘big three’ Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the China Open will be cause for optimism amongst the chasing pack. French Open runner up Dominic Thiem and German Alexander Zverev will be the headline attractions in a superb field in the Chinese capital. 2016 winner Andy Murray will also continue his injury comeback in China whilst emerging Greek talent Stefanos Tsitsipas will be eager to demonstrate his abilities at the highest level. Defending champion Nikoloz Bashilashvili will be another man keen to power up the rankings as the year comes to a close.
Men’s Outright Winner Odds:-
The China Open boasts one of the strongest ATP 500 fields on the tour with many of the big names in the game looking to get back into the swing of things to finish off the calendar year. In the absence of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, there is a real chance for someone to make a name for themselves here.
Here are some of our favourites for the title in Beijing:
Alexander Zverev – 8/1 (Bwin) –
The young German has suffered a tough year on the ATP Tour by his own high standards but his performance at the Laver Cup last time out could fill him with confidence. He looks overpriced here in China.
Karen Khachanov – 9/1 (Betsafe) –
Big serving Karen Khachanov has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the tour and is now an integral part of the world’s top 10 players. He enjoys playing on hard courts and will be one to watch here.
Stefanos Tsitsipas– 9/1 (Betfred) –
The Greek sensation is another player to have emerged this season and his run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open was the highlight of the campaign. He’ll be looking to finish the season in style with a good run in China this week.
Dominic Thiem – 12/1 (William Hill) –
The top seed in Beijing; Dominic Thiem will be hoping to continue his excellent form this term. With a tournament win at Indian Wells in the bank and a run to the French Open final, he has emerged as a real threat to the big three and he looks great value this week in China.
Andrey Rublev – 12/1 (Bet365) –
Despite an injury riddled 2018, Andrey Rublev has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in the game and his run to the US Open quarter finals will be cause for optimism for the Russian here.
Gael Monfils – 13/1 (888sport) –
Frenchman Gael Monfils is still operating in the world’s top 15 and his performances in 2019 have been more consistent than ever. He looks to have a tough draw in Beijing but he has plenty of big game experience that he can call upon.
Top Pick – Dominic Thiem – 12/1 (William Hill)
Outside Pick – Stefanos Tsitsipas – 9/1 (Betfred)
Women’s:
US Open champion Bianca Andreescu will be hoping to continue her sensational form in 2019 as she heads over to Beijing. Two time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will also be a front runner in the Chinese capital, with her hardcourt prowess sure to hold her in good stead. Wimbledon champion Simona Halep is noted by her absence as Ashleigh Barty and Elina Svitolina look to be two of the stronger bets to go all the way this year whilst defending champion Caroline Wozniacki will be desperate for a return to form here.
Women’s Outright Winner Odds:-
As a WTA Premier Mandatory event, the guarantee of the biggest names in women’s tennis makes the China Open a huge event on the calendar. Caroline Wozniacki will be back to defend her title amongst some of the biggest names in the game including Naomi Osaka, Bianca Andreescu and Ashleigh Barty whilst plenty of up and coming players on the WTA Tour will fancy their chances of springing a surprise or two.
Here are some of our favourites for the title in Beijing:-
Bianca Andreescu – 6/1 (Bet365) –
US Open champion Bianca Andreescu arrives in Beijing as one of the most sought after players in the draw. The Canadian is in the midst of a winning streak on hard courts and should relish the playing surface in Beijing.
Naomi Osaka – 9/1 (Betsson) –
Naomi Osaka has endured an indifferent run this season in terms of form but is one of the most talented players on the circuit and she too will enjoy the speedy courts in China.
Aryna Sabalenka – 10/1 (Ladbrokes) –
Aryna Sabalenka has established herself within the world’s top 10 in recent times and she will be keen to kick on in 2020. She is very much a hard court specialist and could be somewhat of a dark horse in the competition.
Ashleigh Barty – 12/1 (Ladbrokes) –
French Open champion Ashleigh Barty has struggled for form since her Roland Garros triumph but she will once again be a force here in Beijing. The Australian will be keen to compete once more to finish as the season-ending number one and could well go deep here.
Elina Svitolina – 13/1 (Betsafe) –
The Ukrainian is always a threat on hard courts and despite not getting the trophy return she may have hoped for this season, she has consistently been in the mix in all the big events and she’ll want a Premier Mandatory event to her name.
Petra Kvitova – 15/1 (William Hill) –
Czech superstar Petra Kvitova has had a quiet season by her own standards but she is more than capable at this level and she could be another player that could sneak under the radar.