Vienna Erste Bank Open Odds & Preview: Zverev the Favorite in Strong Draw
- The world No. 1 and No. 2 are absent, but the 2021 Vienna Erste Bank Open draw is loaded
- No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev is the most accomplished indoor hard-court player in the draw
- Read on for tournament information, odds and predictions for this ATP Tour 500 event
If the top two players in the world were in Vienna this week, Alexander Zverev might only be third on the list of favorites to win the Erste Bank Open.
As accomplished a hard-court player as he is – especially indoors – the other two are better.
But the 24-year-old German’s big serve puts him at the top of the list.
Erste Bank Open Singles Odds
| Seed | Player | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| [2] | Alexander Zverev (GER) | +260 |
| [1] | Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) | +550 |
| [7] | Jannik Sinner (ITA | +600 |
| [3] | Matteo Berrettini (ITA) | +900 |
| – | Gaël Monfils (FRA) | +1200 |
| [5] | Hubert Hurkacz (POL) | +1400 |
| [4] | Casper Ruud (NOR) | +1600 |
| [6] | Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) | +1600 |
| [8] | Diego Schwartzman (ARG) | +2000 |
| – | Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) | +2500 |
| – | Cameron Norrie (GBR) | +2500 |
| – | Pablo Carreño Busta (ESP) | +2500 |
| – | Andy Murray (GBR) | +2800 |
| – | Lloyd Harris (RSA) | +2800 |
| Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) | +3300 | |
| – | Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) | +5000 |
| – | Reilly Opelka (USA) | +6600 |
Odds as of Oct. 24 at Bet365
Only One Former Champion in the Field
The Vienna field is always solid. But this year, the St. Petersburg tournament takes place the same week (instead of September – fun fact, Andrey Rublev is the defending champion in both tournaments this week).
So the bigger 500 tournament misses out on top Russians Rublev, Karen Khachanov and Aslan Karatsev as well as Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
As well, local Austrian star Dominic Thiem remains on the disabled list with a wrist issue.
Which doesn’t mean the field still isn’t top-class.
But the only player who has ever won the tournament is wild card Andy Murray, all the way back in 2014 and 2016.
Easier Draw for Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas has four indoor hard-court titles to his name – most notably the ATP Tour Finals in 2019. And every time he’s made a final, he’s won.
He has a (relatively) easier route than his rival Zverev. But he’ll need a second wind; no one has played more matches in 2021.
❗ The main draw is out ❗ Which first-round pairing are you most excited about? 👀 #ErsteBankOpen #Vienna @atptour pic.twitter.com/nFXmwIaedM
— Erste Bank Open (@ErsteBankOpen) October 23, 2021
Tsitsipas didn’t play last week, though. And Antwerp finalists Jannik Sinner and Diego Schwartzman are both in his half and will come in a little jaded.
But first he must get past unseeded Grigor Dimitrov.
The Bulgarian defeated Tsitsipas in the second round in the Greek’s Vienna debut a year ago. And Dimitrov wasn’t playing nearly as well then, as he is now. That’s another match to watch.
In-Form Players in Zverev’s Half
Meanwhile, Zverev has Indian Wells finalists Cameron Norrie and Nikoloz Basilashvili – both dangerous unseeded floaters – in his half. They’ve had a couple of weeks to rest and recharge.
Zverev hasn’t played Vienna in four years, and even then only twice in his career.
The weather seems ❄ but @AlexZverev and @felixtennis seem to have fun in #Vienna, prior to the beginning of the #ErsteBankOpen#Zverev #FAA #atp #tennis @ErsteBankOpen pic.twitter.com/FW1glDgQIe
— Tennis etc.🦆🎾 | aka the Jinx Queen 🥴 (@Tennis_Etc_) October 23, 2021
He more often played the Basel event on a super-fast court that week (for the second straight year, Basel is not being held).
Previous Este Bank Open Winners and Finalists
| Year | Champion | Finalist |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | [5] Andrey Rublev (RUS) | [LL] Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) |
| 2019 | [1] Dominic Thiem (AUT) | [5] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) |
| 2018 | [2] Kevin Anderson (RSA) | [5] Kei Nishikori (JPN) |
| 2017 | Lucas Pouille (FRA) | [8] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) |
| 2016 | [1] Andy Murray (GBR) | [6] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) |
First-Round Matches to Watch
Hubert Hurkacz (-185) vs Andy Murray (+140)
Wild card Andy Murray has shown in recent months that he’s highly competitive with the best players in the world.
His body is holding up. But his decision-making has let him down in crucial moments. And close hasn’t been good enough to get on a run; unseeded, he’s had some tough draws.
And so he gets Hubert Hurkacz in the first round – again. The Polish player has beaten him twice in the last few months – both times by identical 7-6 (4), 6-3 scores.
Hurkacz has a lot to play for; he’s in a tight battle with several other players for the last two available spots at the ATP Tour Finals in Turin. But so does Murray.
Diego Schwartzman (-320) vs Fabio Fognini (+230)
Schwartzman has had a busy week in Antwerp, where he was trying to win his first indoor event. He made the finals there in 2016 and 2017, too. But he’s now 0-for-3.
It's a team effort 🤗@janniksin 🤝 @RPiatti @EuroTennisOpen pic.twitter.com/iY47BXFlms
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 24, 2021
But he’s going to arrive in Austria a little worn out The Argentine played a ton the last few months – including the Olympics, Davis Cup down in Argentina and Laver Cup.
Fognini, who has never done particularly well in Vienna, is a +230 underdog. But given the circumstances and the Italian’s relative freshness, he’s a good bet for a first-round surprise.
Best Bet: Stefanos Tsitsipas (+550)
Longer shot: Hubert Hurkacz (+1400)
Stephanie gets the straight dope from the tennis insiders. On court, she has represented her country internationally. A BA in journalism led to years on the MLB beat and a decade covering tennis globally. She's written for Postmedia, the Guardian, the New York Times and also publishes OpenCourt.ca.
