tadley

Kudermetova is the stronger player but hasn't played much on clay in the last year, with just seven games since the start of 2025. She has lost six of them, making her an unreliable favorite. Charaeva has struggled this year but dropped to Challenger level last time and won the tournament, dropping just one set. That should give her a boost, and she is capable on clay.

Cengiz had a fine 2024 on clay with a 36??"13 win/loss ratio. However, she is nowhere near that level since and lost all seven clay matches last season, even though they were at a low level. Bronzetti is struggling, losing her last three, but she should be strong enough to beat the current version of Cengiz.

Both sides lost their opening games, but Boland on paper look the slightly stronger side. They also have home advantage, so I'm expecting them to step up on their opening defeat.

Conegliano have been dominant this season, winning 25 of their 26 games. However, in their three meetings this season with Busto Arsizio they have dropped sets in every game, losing 3-1, 3-2 and 3-2. I, therefore, can see the hosts winning a set.

Milano won the first game 3-0, but this might not be as straightforward. Vallefoglia took a set off Milano in both regular-season games and could do so again.

The pair have met once, which went three sets and subsequently over this line. Neither are in the best of form, but both have shown in the past that they are more than willing to battle long and hard to secure wins. I don't see either of these running away with this.

Adrian Mannarino is a tricky opponent with his low, flat hitting and can frustrate many a player. Berrettini in particular seems to hate playing him. He has lost both matches against him 3-0 and 2-0, managing just one break point over the two matches. Berrettini's form is poor coming into this and looks opposable against a player he clearly doesn't enjoy playing.

I can't be backing Diallo at these odds. He has lost 6 of his 8 games this year, with his two wins coming against a woefully out-of-form De Jong and a lowly ranked Brazilian in the Davis Cup. These conditions won't really suit his game, and he plays a player in Bellucci who leads 3??"1 in head-to-heads. I take the loss at Delray Beach with a pinch of salt, as Bellucci had already qualified for the main tour even when he lost.

Kiel have tied 4 of their last 7 away games and won only one game by more than one point. Therefore I don't see this being as straightforward as the odds suggest. Stuttgart have won 4 of their last 5 home games and lost by just one when the sides met in Kiel, so I like the tie.

The pair met just last month in similar conditions in Acapulco, with Atmane winning rather cosily 2-0. Dimitrov has had more than his fair share of injuries, and it looks like his best days are long behind him. A slide down the rankings is inevitable. Atmane can win again.

Scandicci have been the stronger side this season, but the first game was far from plain sailing. It went to a final set, with Scandicci winning it 17-15. On that performance and with home advantage, they could easily outperform their odds.

There have been positive signs of improvement from Aberg in his last two events. He was slow out of the blocks in both, posting a 72 and 75, but responded well with rounds of 66, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 69. If you cut out the loose first round, he should go well here, as he won in 2023.

It's hard to have much faith in Barrow winning this. They have just two wins from their last 20 games. A draw for Cheltenham would get your money back, and I think they are capable of at least getting that. They are unbeaten in four, including a win over Salford.

Calum Hill had fine recent 2nd places in Bahrain and Qatar. Although just T20 last week, his form was still there with two strong rounds of 65 and 67. He won this last year, so should go close.

Verstappen kept himself in the title race last season despite clearly not having the best car. That speaks volumes about his skill, which should see him once again go well this season. Despite him slamming the new regulation, it should be to his benefit as he has the skills to master the new designs. The Red Bull has looked very promising in practice, so I rate him as the most likely winner.