Betfair Official Blog

China Open Betting

After the excitement of the US Open, betting attention turns to Beijing for the China Open (September 17-23).

A bet on defending champion Marcos Baghdatis, who beat Mario Ancic in straight sets 12 months ago, will be popular, while the odds on Svetlana Kuznetsova, who triumphed last year over France's Amélie Mauresmo, will be available.

Although not all the world's best players will be on show, there are still plenty of betting opportunities in both the men's and women's events and there will be odds available on Baghdatis to try and secure back-to-back victories.

Betting punters have won bets on previous winners such as Marat Safin and current world number two Rafael Nadal, while Serena Williams was short odds when she walked off with the trophy in 2004.

The omission of the world's best means chances to bet on up-and-coming players, who may well be propelled onto to the world stage with a good run in China.

Nikolay Davydenko was one of the highest-ranked players to participate last year and odds will be available for a bet on the Ukrainian during the week.

Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, who made the semi-finals last year, attracted plenty of betting interest and he will be one of a number of players from the region who make up the field in the Chinese capital.

Lindsay Davenport is on the comeback trail and the American, who played last year, will be popular in the betting if fit to play in China, while betting will be available on local girl Shuai Peng and Japan's Ai Sugiyama.

Jelena Jankovic played in 2006 and will be a popular bet in both singles and doubles on the tour and Mauresmo, if she decides to make the trip, could tempt punters looking for decent odds.