Monday’s ATP Finals Tips: Easy win for Djokovic and tight Zverev tie?

Tournament favourite Novak Djokovic opens up his 2018 ATP Finals campaign this evening with an intriguing encounter against the powerful John Isner.

The world number one is widely expected to kick things off with a win. Alexander Zverev’s clash with Marin Cilic earlier in the day, meanwhile, could prove trickier to call.

We’ve had our say on both contests in our ATP Finals Tips.

Alexander Zverev v Marin Cilic

Our traders don’t think there’s much to choose between these two players. Young pretender Zverev is the odds-on favourite at 4/5, with Cilic slightly further back at even-money.

The German ace is in the better form of the pair and also boasts the more enviable head-to-head record. Zverev has won his last five matches against Cilic, including twice on today’s surface.

One of those matches came at the O2 last year, where the favourite edged a three set encounter 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. He’s 3/1 to claim another 2-1 victory in the Set Betting this time around.

Their clash at the Italian Open in May produced two thrilling all the way encounters, which Zverev eventually edged. There’s 9/2 about the German winning Set 1 via a 7-6 scoreline.

A tight encounter could also produce Over 24.5 Games overall at 5/6.

Novak Djokovic v John Isner

Djokovic will be eager to kick things off with a win after last week’s surprise 5-7, 4-6 defeat to Karen Khachanov in the Paris Masters Final. His opening match odds of 1/9 suggest he should.

And with good reason – the Serbian loves it in London. He won his fourth Wimbledon crown in the summer while also racking up four straight ATP Finals titles at the O2 from 2012 to 2015.

His record against Isner is good too. The American has lost the last five meetings between the two players, the last three of which have been by straight sets. It’s 2/5 about Djokovic winning 2-0 here.

This match won’t be without its problems for the favourite, though. The serve of his 6ft 10in opponent should cause problems.

Djokovic is likely drop some games as result. We make him 10/3 to win the first set 6-4.

Click here for the latest ATP Finals odds.

Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing