Tournament Preview
The Asian legs of the ATP and WTA Tours kick off in earnest in Beijing, with the China Open seeing the return of some of the biggest names in the world of tennis. It’s time to check out the top China Open betting tips, predictions and odds.
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. However, since 2008 the event has been merged. This gives 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. This means that whilst it’s a fourth tier event for the men, it is one of the biggest 5 events on the women’s calendar; therefore, it 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; this 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
Saturday 29th September – Sunday 7th October 2018.
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. Man of the moment, Novak Djokovic, arrives in Beijing fresh off the back of his US Open win. The Serb has won the tournament an incredible 6 times in the Chinese capital. Rafael Nadal won’t be present to defend his trophy this season after being ruled out through injury. Meanwhile, 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 too and will return to Beijing this year whilst last year’s champion Caroline Garcia will be back to defend her title.
2018 Tournament Preview
Men’s:
Six-time winner and defending US Open and Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will head the field in Beijing in the absence of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and the Serb should arrive full of confidence. 2016 winner Andy Murray will also continue his injury comeback in China whilst US Open finalist Juan Martin del Potro will also be in contention in the Chinese capital. Elsewhere, German sensation Alexander Zverev will be looking to finish his season in style and 2016 runner up Grigor Dimitrov will be looking to find form before 2019.
Women’s:
US Open runner up Serena Williams will be hoping to make a seamless return to competitive tennis after her New York meltdown and she will be looking to clinch her 3rd China Open. Simona Halep still sits at the top of the rankings and will be looking to avenge her final defeat last year whilst the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Elina Svitolina and Garbine Muguruza will be looking to play themselves into form with the WTA Finals looming. US Open Champion Naomi Osaka returns to Asia for the first time since her New York triumph and she is sure to be in contention too.
2018 China Open Tournament Preview
Men’s Outright Winner Odds:-
The China Open boasts one of the strongest ATP 500 fields on the tour. Many of the big names in the game are looking to get back into the swing of things to finish off the calendar year. The usual smattering of big names are joined by some of the most exciting up and coming talents in the game. This is truly set to be a fascinating week in Beijing.
Here are some of our favourites for the title in Beijing:
Novak Djokovic– 5/2 (Ladbrokes) –
The US Open Champion has enjoyed an incredible couple of months. He has won the US Open and Wimbledon and he is surging up the world rankings once more. He loves this event (six-time winner) and looks well set to emerge victorious again.
Juan Martin del Potro – 4/1 (William Hill) –
The Tower of Tandil has been in great form throughout 2018. He managed to reach the last 8 or better at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. His impressive run to the final in New York was curtailed by Novak Djokovic but the Argentine looks back to his best.
Alexander Zverev – 9/2 (888sport) –
The young German has not enjoyed his best year on the ATP Tour. However, his prominence in all of the big events is often felt and his accomplished all round game is a problem for every opponent. He will be looking to finish the season strongly on his favoured surface.
Andy Murray – 8/1 (Bet-at-Home) –
The 2016 champion has endured a difficult 18 months with injury peppering his progress. His rehabilitation doesn’t look fully complete; this is epitomised by his defeat to Fernando Verdasco at the US Open. However, he usually saves his best tennis for the end of the year.
Grigor Dimitrov – 10/1 (Royal Panda) –
‘Baby Federer’ has endured a difficult season on the ATP Tour. He has struggled in all of the Grand Slams and dropping outside of the world’s top 5. The Bulgarian reached the final in Beijing in 2016 and will be looking to replicate that form once again this week.
John Isner – 11/1 (MansionBet) –
The giant American has had another fantastic year on the tour – reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon and the last 8 at the US Open to establish himself in the world’s top 10. He will be desperate to add a trophy to his collection in what has been an impressive season.
Top Pick – Novak Djokovic – 5/2 (Ladbrokes)
Outside Pick – John Isner – 11/1 (MansionBet)
2018 China Open Tournament Preview
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 Garcia will be back to defend her title amongst some of the biggest names in the game. These include Serena Williams, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber. Meanwhile, 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:-
Serena Williams – 3/1 (Bet 365) –
The two-time champion here in Beijing impressed in New York before melting in the final. However, she will be looking to get back on court as soon as possible. With the WTA Tour finals looming she will want to hit the ground running in Beijing.
Simona Halep– 9/2 (888sport) –
The Romanian has enjoyed another solid year on the WTA Tour. She won the French Open and managed to maintain her World Number 1 status. Having lost out in the final last year, she will be eager to go all the way this season.
Angelique Kerber – 5/1 (Coral) –
The Wimbledon Champion has been in great form all season but a tough US Hard court swing has checked her progress somewhat. She will be eager to return to winning ways as quickly as possible and is more than capable.
Elina Svitolina – 7/1 (BetSafe) –
The Ukrainian is always a threat on hard courts. 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. She’ll be wanting a Premier Mandatory event to her name this season.
Naomi Osaka– 8/1 (Ladbrokes) –
The US Open champion has emerged as a major player on the WTA Tour and her hard-hitting game will hold her in good stead on the speedy courts in China. She returns to Asia as a Grand Slam champion and will be revered everywhere she goes.
Sloane Stephens– 9/1 (William Hill) –
The 2017 US Open Champion has cemented her place in the top 10 of the world in 2018 and was unlucky to lose out in the French Open final. Consistency is the biggest issue, but a return to hard court tennis will help her game massively.
Caroline Garcia– 14/1 (Bet Bright) –
The defending champion is more than capable at this level but has failed to reach the dizzy heights of last season. However, a return to her greatest triumph could inspire her this week with the WTA Tour finals still an outside possibility.
Top Pick – Simona Halep – 9/2 (888sport)
Outside Pick – Sloane Stephens – 9/1 (William Hill)