Serena and Rafa to Win Again in France?

Serena Williams is the 4/11 (GENERAL) favourite for the French Open title after seeing off Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets in the quarter-finals. The American produced such an erratic performance that I would not be rushing to back her at that price. Maria Sharapova is 13/2 (YOU WIN) for victory which is also the same price that Victoria Azarenka can be backed (boylesports/BETVICTOR) at, Sara Errani is the 28/1(BETVICTOR) outsider.

The first semi-final features Serena Williams and Sara Errani and the American is as short as 2/25 (YOU WIN) for victory as she leads the head-to-head record 5-0. If you think Serena can win in a straight sets you can back her at 3/10 (YOU WIN) which has been the score in four of the five meetings between the duo. If you think the Italian can spring the shock here you can back her at 10/1 (188BET) for the victory or at 71/4 (YOU WIN) to win in three sets.

The other semi-final features Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka with Sharapova the narrow favourite at 5/6 (STAN JAMES/888 SPORT) and Azarenka available at 11/10 (CORAL). Azarenka has won seven of the twelve previous meetings between the two though Sharapova has won the two clay meetings between the pair. With so little to choose between them the bet looks like being to take three in the total sets market which can be backed at 11/8 (BETVICTOR). The last meeting at a major between the duo (the US Open in 2012) also went to the three sets.

Rafa Nadal is the 17/20 (YOU WIN/betway) favourite to be crowned champion in this event for the eighth time (and the fourth in a row). In fact only Robin Soderling has beaten Nadal at this venue since 2005. Novak Djokovic is the second favourite and can be backed at 2/1 (boylesports) as he seeks his first ever French Open title. The other two men in the competition are David Ferrer who is an 11/1 (GENERAL) chance while Jo-Willfried Tsonga is the 12/1 (BOYLESPORTS/CORAL/william hill) outsider.

Bookmakers have David Ferrer as the 4/6 (GENERAL) favourite to see off Tsonga who can be backed at 27/20 (sportingbet). Both players impressed in their quarter-final in straight sets though it was perhaps more notable for Tsonga who saw off Federer while Ferrer saw off Robredo. These two have met just three times before with Ferrer holding a 2-1 advantage including victory in their only previous clay court meeting in Rome in 2010. Tsonga though looks a new player and if he plays like he did against Federer I think he must the value bet.

The other game sees Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic which with the greatest respect to the other two looks like being the real final. Bookmakers make Nadal the favourite and he is 8/13 (BWIN) for victory while Djokovic is a best priced 13/8 (STAN JAMES). These two have met 16 times before on clay with the Spaniard ahead 13-3. Djokovic though has recorded those three wins within the last six meetings of the pair and he won in Monte Carlo in the last encounter. The best bet could be in taking Djokovic to win the first set at 11/8 (STAN JAMES) as Nadal has come out slow dropping the opening set in his first two matches and needing a tiebreaker to win it in the third round.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Azarenka and Sharapova match to go three sets, 11/8 (BETVICTOR)
SILVER: Jo Wilfried Tsonga to beat David Ferrer, 27/20 (sportingbet)
BRONZE: Novak Djokovic to win the first set v Nadal, 11/8 (STAN JAMES)

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06/06/2013     © Frixo 2026