Preview and best bets for Winston-Salem Open on ATP Tour

Winston Salem open

• Winston-Salem, USA (hard outdoor)

It’s 10/1 on the field in Winston-Salem this week as players will put the finishing touches to their preparations for the upcoming US Open.

A race this wide open is a rarity on the ATP Tour and clearly presents opportunities for bettors.

This is where I would normally mention that since this is a week before a Grand Slam, it’s probably worth defying the big guns on the field.

The fact of the matter is, not many big names are present – only one of the world’s top 20, Grigor Dimitrov, is in the 48-man draw, with the latest straight knockout being Steve Johnson in 91st.

However, another factor that’s always worth considering in weeks like this remains.

I’m usually very interested in finding a player who ran well (and basically gave it their all) just before a slam – the last thing you want to do is support someone making a token effort to him to protect himself for the bigger tournament.

ILYA IVASHKA is a man who fits the bill, after all he won this tournament 12 months ago as readers of this column will probably remember.

That Belarusian won for us at odds of 35/1 and a replay is more than a possibility.

Last time out at this 250 level, Ivashka made the semifinals in Atlanta, losing to eventual champion Alex de Minaur after a set-up.

His strong first serve, backed by a racquet forehand, is a key weapon on a slick court and conditions should be in his favor again this week.

They’re playing on Laykold here, the same surface used by the US Open and with temperatures expected to hit 30C it’s expected to be played fairly quickly this week.

Conditions certainly looked ideal for Ivashka last year as he not only won but obliterated the competition. He didn’t lose a set in the last four rounds, winning six of the eight by 6-2 or better.

Yes, of course there’s a possibility that the pressure of defending the title (and 250 ranking points) is weighing heavily on his shoulders – this is the first time Ivaskha has returned to an ATP event as the reigning champion – but I think there’s a lot going on to like his chances.

OK, he’s ‘only’ 25/1 this year but the field looks weaker with Pablo Carreno Busta and Marin Cilic among those who fancied for last year’s crown only to fail.

Ivashka looks set to have a chance to play his way into the tournament, opening against either Jiri Lehecka or Peter Gojowczyk before potentially meeting Sebastian Baez, hardly the toughest seed to face in round three.

Top seed Dimitrov could follow in the quarter-finals, although the Bulgarian has only won 2-3 on the North American hard courts this summer and will be upgraded this week purely on reputation.

Jack Draper might even have eliminated Dimitrov by then – the Brit is truly a rising star and one who has already beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas on hard ground this summer.

However, the 20-year-old looks to fall short at 14/1 as bettors are paying what appears to be a ‘British tax’ on him.

I also take one in the bottom half of the draw led by Botic van de Zandschulp.

The Dutchman honestly held Daniil Medvedev in Cincinnati last week but his 6-1, 6-2 pounding against Cameron Norrie in Montreal has not been forgotten and while he’s capable of winning that I’m keen him at 11/ 1.

I considered Lorenzo Sonego, a player who reached a final twice in the week before a Slam.

However both examples were on the grass while the Italian’s form isn’t great so I can overlook the 28/1 on this occasion.

Instead I turn to EMIL RUUSUVUORI.

He’s a player who has had some good results in fast-paced conditions, most notably in Pune earlier this year where he reached the final. He was also a semi-finalist in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open where Rafael Nadal had to stop his attack. In the main event, he then edged out Felix Auger-Aliassime to five sets.

He’s certainly played well in recent weeks, even if he’s failed to pull together a deep run.

The Finn beat Hubert Hurkacz in Washington before the Pole took revenge in Montreal the following week.

Last week in Cincinnati, Ruusuvuori pushed Marin Cilic to 7-5 in the third, a no-shame loss.

In lesser company, I think he’s capable of making waves at a palatable price of 20/1.

I have to admit I’m a bit worried about a possible opener against Adrian Mannarino, another player who plays well and usually plays well in faster conditions.

I’ll stick with the higher-ranked man, however, who reached the semifinals here 12 months ago before meeting juggernaut Ivashka.

He has improved since that effort and hopefully can do at least one better this time at 20 years old.

Perhaps the wise choose to side with him on Sky Bet’s quarter bets, given the ever-growing number of semi-final losers this column is producing.

Ruusuvuori is 9/2 in this market, Ivashka is offered at 7/2.

One last thing worth noting – it’s a Sunday start (and Saturday final) in Winston-Salem, with the main draw beginning at 1930 BST.

Posted at 1130 BST on 08/21/22

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