The ATP tour stops off in Rome as we edge ever closer to the 2022 French Open, with the world’s top players set to descend on the French capital at the end of May.

Rafael Nadal was the champion here in 2021, as he took his tally to a record 10 titles in Rome, while rival Novak Djokovic made it five tournament wins here in 2020. Combined with the rest of a talented and stacked field, it promises to be a highly competitive and entertaining tournament.

Fresh from defending his crown at Monte Carlo, Stefanos Tsitsipas will be another major contender in this event, and so it promises to be another thrilling showdown in Italy in what is a pivotal next stage of the clay court season.

The major bookmakers typically price up their markets for these stand-out tournaments quite similarly, and so the likes of LeoVegas, Comeon, Bet365 and 888sport will all offer a wide range of markets and should be explored.

Over the course of the event, they will produce both outright and daily markets which will provide value bets, and the ATP Internazionali BNL d’Italia will be no different and will get significant coverage.

While the established bloc of bookmakers will all promote and provide special offers, it’s also worth looking beyond the big names as there will be plenty of alternatives as they’ll be looking to promote to a wider audience and bring in new customers with appealing welcome bonus.

As a 10-time winner here, it’s impossible to rule out Rafa Nadal despite the fact that he turns 36 in June and hasn’t had the best of build-ups.

While he returned at the Madrid Open, that came after a spell on the sidelines with a fractured rib, and so it remains to be seen just how fit and in form he is by the time he arrives in Rome.

Similarly, Djokovic will be a threat given his history here too, but it’s Tsitsipas who could be the main contender this year given his impressive recent form and the momentum that he’s building heading towards the French Open.

The 23-year-old has gone 24-8 so far this calendar year, and he’ll be eager to continue that good form in the coming weeks.

It’s traditionally relatively difficult to predict winners of these tournaments beyond the usual favourites, as fitness, form and preparation all come into play as the priority for many of the world’s top players is to hit their peak at Roland Garros.

Nadal’s history here would make him a stand-out pick, but his injury and fitness concerns could be a worry, while Djokovic has work to do to reach his optimal level.

In turn, this is arguably where momentum and form come into the equation, and Tsitsipas will be a real threat to the rest of the field as the World No.5 looks to really set his marker with the French Open on his mind.

Similarly, look out for the likes of Alcaraz and Rublev, while it will be fascinating to see how far Jannik Sinner will go with the home crowd behind him, as he’ll look to be their main hope as the tournament progresses.

Before a serve is struck in anger, the Outright Tournament Winner market is the first port of call as the value here will diminish as the event progresses. In turn, it’s key to grab full value here before the tournament starts, particularly for an outsider looking to spring a surprise.

In contrast, there is typically value in backing the favourites at this stage too if you wish to play it safer, as with the influence of form, injury and ultimately just being outplayed on any given day, there are no guarantees for some of the top names.

With that in mind, it’s crucial to monitor how individuals have fared in the early rounds to produce an informed decision on how they’ll perform against better opposition. It’s a good indication as to whether they’ve looked in ominous form or have been in precarious positions facing potential elimination and will come up short when the competition steps up.

The Over/Under markets and set score betting are also good options, as while they can fluctuate between rounds, trends can develop during the course of the tournament that offer key insight.

In turn, pick an outright winner early with favourable odds on offer and assess in-play options such as set betting and over/under markets to find good value.

Selecting an outright tournament winner before the event begins, match winners, set betting and total games over/under typically offer the best value, and with so many close matches expected in Rome, given the top-class field, there will likely be favourable odds dotted throughout the various markets.

With these more high-profile tournaments, all the major betting sites will offer various bonuses and sign-up offers that represent great value, with the likes of bet365 and 888sport at the forefront.

These can range from initial £10 or £50 free bets as part of a special offer, and that can really make a significant difference on your potential returns and provide big opportunities to win.

The Foro Italico is a superb venue both in terms of the tennis facilities on offer but also from a spectator’s perspective given its surroundings.

Given this tournament regularly attracts the world’s top players year in and year out, that says a lot in itself about its appeal and attraction, while given its status as an ATP Masters 1000 event, it also holds more weight in terms of ranking points and prize money.

The venue itself though provides an excellent atmosphere, particularly when the Italian faithful can back one of their own, and so it promises to be a superb setting for what promises to be a thrilling tournament.

Most of the major bookmakers will offer both a live streaming and live oddsservice for the ATP Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2022, including the likes of 888sport and bet365.

Odds will be similar across the board and so there might not be much difference on that front, but the live-streaming facility not only is crucial in terms of keeping tabs on your bets and potential punts, but those bookies typically also offer a larger selection of markets to provide a full one-stop service for customers.

Given their achievements at this tournament in past years, the likes of Nadal and Djokovic can’t be dismissed despite question marks over fitness and form heading into this year’s edition.

Both players have shown their class at the Foro Italico time and time again, but perhaps this will be another stage where they’re overshadowed by their fresher rivals.

With the French Open fast approaching, the focus at this stage is preparation and being 100% for Roland Garros at the end of May. Of course, all concerned will want to win and build momentum too, but it’s about the bigger picture for many, particularly for those who have been around this game for many, many years.

Tsitsipas is a strong contender given his form this year and his all-round game being well suited to clay, and he’ll want to go one better in Paris after losing in the final to Djokovic last year so these kind of tournaments are key for him to build rhythm and confidence.

In turn, back the Greek ace to grab another title here, while the likes of Nadal and Djokovic will hope to put together a deep run as Sinner will be desperate to be the big home-favourite hope.