French Open Odds

Roland Garros plays host to the second tennis major of the year with the men’s game in danger of stealing the show with Novak Djovokic still unbeaten in 2011 with seven tournament wins already under his belt. Remarkably, one of the greatest runs of form in the history of the game still leaves him as just second favourite for the premier clay court event, at 17/10 with Boylesports. The bookies have unanimously concluded that world number one Rafa Nadal has earned the right to still be seen as the man to beat; he is 10/11 with skybet. The Serbian has beaten the Spaniard four times this season, including twice on this surface recently, but Nadal was won this tournament five times since 2005. The theory would go that beating the eight time Grand Slam champion over five sets on clay is a tougher proposition than even Djokovic has mustered this campaign.

Roger Federer finds himself in the unaccustomed position of making up the numbers in Paris. This is at least one conclusion to be drawn from the 16/1 offered by Boylesports on the 2009 champion repeating the feat this year. Andy Murray revived British hopes with a thrilling three set nerve-jangler against Djokovic in Rome recently. The Scot was serving for a place in the final at one stage and was on the verge of ending the Serbian’s win run that currently stands at 39, including two matches from 2010. Murray fell just short, but showed enough to suggest that a prolonged run at Roland Garros is possible. He is also 16/1 with Boylesports. He opens against qualifier Eric Prodon and he is seeded to meet Austrian Jurgen Melzer in the last eight if all goes to plan. He has beaten the world number eight on all five previous meetings so the opportunity to reach the semi finals for the first time in Paris is a realistic one.

In the women’s draw Victoria Azarenka begins as the 5/1 favourite with bet365. Caroline Wozniacki is hot on her heels at 6/1 with VictorChandler. 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova is 7/1 with Boylesports while comeback girl Kim Clijsters will attract some interest at 12/1 with totesport. The 26-year-old Belgian has won the last two Slams, in Australia in January and the US Open last August. Clijsters has won at Roland Garros twice, but not since way back in 2001 and 2003.