This week’s ATP Tour tennis action at Hamburg, Gstaad and Atlanta is now underway and by the time you read this article all the first round matches should be completed. There have already been some upsets and surprise results, at Hamburg fourth seed Dzhumur crashed out against qualifier Kovalik as predicted in Monday’s article, fifth seed Kohlschreiber advised (25/1) disappointed on home soil again this year, losing his first round match against qualifier Basilashvili and sixth seed and Umag winner Cecchinato lost to Monfils, as predicted in Monday’s article.

Eighth seed veteran Verdasco continued his good clay form yesterday, coming from a break down twice in the third set against Lajovic (advised 22/1), eventually taking on a tiebreak 7-5. However, he looked fatigued after this match and life won’t get any easier today against Brazilian clay court specialist Monteiro (advised 50/1) today. Monteiro is showing signs of a player who has the potential to make the breakthrough to the top-100 and top-50 if he keeps improving and can improve the mental side of his game significantly, namely not breaking down when under pressure or within touching distance of the win. Veteran Simon has been in great form this season, but he lost his opener against Monteiro as predicted on Monday, German Wild Card Molleker upset veteran Ferrer as predicted on Monday and German qualifier Masur upset his more famous compatriot Marterer.

At Gstaad, fifth seed Haase was a shock upset against qualifier Golavic, sixth seed Sousa (advised 16/1) was also a surprise exit, losing to qualifier Bagnis and seventh seed Garcia-Lopez was also upset against compatriot Carballes Baena (50/1). Eighth seed veteran Lopez progressed to the second round knocking out favourite Delbonis and the top four seeds Fognini, Bautista Agut, Coric and Rublev will all be in second round action over the next couple of days. At the time of writing the continued first round action at Atlanta was just underway and it should be completed barring any delays, by the time you are reading this article.

From a betting perspective there’s a couple of matches at Hamburg and Gstaad that I’m quietly confident will return a profit like Monday’s selections. I think top-seed Fognini is worth opposing against qualifier Zopp (23/8), because I’m not sure Fognini will be 100% focussed after winning the Bastad title on Sunday and Zopp proved at the French Open as a lucky loser he’s not to be underestimated at this level on clay. I also think veteran Verdasco could be vulnerable to fatigue against the tough and big hitting Monteiro, after playing none stop since last Monday and almost every tournament so far this year. He did beat Monteiro in their only meeting to date, earlier in this year during the Golden Clay Swing at Buenos Aires in straight sets, but he will have been much fresher back then and I expect the fresher, younger Spaniard to prevail on this occasion.

Selections:

Zopp to beat Fognini (23/8)

Double (12.26/1)

Zopp to beat Fognini & Monteiro to beat Verdasco