The tennis season is nearing its conclusion and the ATP bandwagon rolls into France this week for the ATP 1000 Rolex Paris Masters. Defending champion Andy Murray misses the contest as does Roger Federer, who landed his eighth title of the season in Basel this week. A host of other top names are also out due to injury which leaves Rafa Nadal in a privileged position to end the year as No.1 and potentially land the £4 million prize fund.
Our man Danny Archer has enjoyed a superb year with his tennis bets and here are his fancies for this week's action...
Nadal looks worthy favourite for Paris crown
Rafael Nadal has not played since losing the Shanghai Masters Final to Roger Federer in straight sets but enters Paris as a strong favourite. Nadal has to beat Hyeon Chung in the second round in the French capital to end the year as the world No.1 and that should give him plenty of motivation for this week. Nadal could play Next Gen Karen Khacanov in the quarter-finals or fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas before a semi-final showdown with another Spanish player Pablo Carreno Busta. The draw has been very favourable for the world No.1 and he looks sure to go close to landing another big title this year. There have been concerns about Nadal's wellbeing with fears he would potentially miss next month's ATP World Tour Finals, so this is a pivotal week before the end of season showdown at the O2 in London.
The dangers are headed by Marin Cilic (8/1), a semi-finalist in Basel last week and Next Gen's Alexander Zverev (12/1) and Dominic Thiem (20/1), who like Cilic have already qualified for the World Tour Finals, so motivation levels may be low. Other notable contenders include Juan Martin Del Potro (12/1) who is finishing the season strong as he looks to qualify for London. He won the Stockholm Open before losing to Federer in a cracking three-set final in Basel last week, where he took the first set off the Swiss. He potentially faces a tricky quarter-final clash with the aforementioned Zverev but the Tower of Tandil should not be written off given his motivation to reach the O2 and his typically powerful end to the year.
A powerful French contingent is headed by 2008 winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga who has landed four titles already this season, Lucas Pouille (25/1) who landed the European Open in straight-sets over Tsonga last week and the enigmatic Richard Gasquet (50/1). Basel semi-finalist Goffin (25/1), who was easily defeated by Federer will seek to ensure his spot in London, whilst Americans John Isner (40/1), Jack Sock (40/1) and Sam Querrey (50/1) are all players capable of going far if bringing their dangerous games together.
Archer's Ace - If fully wound up, Nadal is a solid favourite for the Paris event. His draw is favourable and he will want to ensure that he has the year-end World No.1 spot sewn up. At an Each-Way price, I'm also very keen on Juan Martin Del Potro. He has been in irresistible form of late and gave Federer a real scare in Basel last week, with Delpo's powerful game looking particularly potent against a host of players who are already thinking about the off-season, which makes Nadal and Del Potro two men with points to prove.
Selections (Scale of 1-5 Points)
Rafael Nadal to win the Paris Masters - 6/4 with Unibet - 4pts Win
Juan Martin Del Potro to win the Paris Masters - 14/1 with Unibet - 2pts E/W
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