With nine of the top 10 ranked men taking part in Beijing the field for this year’s Olympics tennis is as formidable as it has ever been.

Rafael Nadal’s extraordinary efforts this season see him overtake Roger Federer as world number one – and that is sure to add extra spice to the proceedings as the freshly disposed Swiss stroke-maker seeks to avenge defeats at Wimbledon and Roland Garros.

Nadal, who has claimed seven titles this season and has only been beaten twice in his last nine events, is rightly installed as totesport’s jolly.

But favourite backers may want to take note that since 1988 the men’s singles event has never been won by a player ranked in the first five.

Federer is second in the betting but his recent Masters Series defeat against giant Ivo Karlovic has led to many experts questioning his powers.

But let´s not forget that he came within a whisker of winning this year’s Wimbledon and he has after all won a staggering 12 Grand Slam titles.

Classy Serbian Novak Djokovic will be a warm order due to his excellent results on this year’s Olympic surface – Deco Turf II.

But the reigning Australian Open champ is probably reeling from his recent Cincinnati Masters Series final upset to Scot Andy Murray.

For our money we make the in form Dunblane man the value bet of the men’s singles.

More Beijing hopefuls come in the form of James Blake, David Nalbandian, David Ferrer and Nikolay Davydenko.

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