French Open: Women's Tip

The women’s French Open could be a straight fight between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova; two of the tennis ‘old guard’ have dominated the run-up to Roland Garros. The pair are scheduled to clash in the quarter finals, and it looks a good bet that the tournament winner will come from that match.

Sharapova has surprised everyone with the quality of her clay court season. The Russian beat world number one Azarenka en route to success in Stuggart before retaining her Italian Open crown last week. The 25-year-old came from a set and 4-0 down against Li Na in the Rome final. At best odds of 7/1 (BetVictor) to win the French Open for the first time, I couldn’t have come closer to siding with the 2004 Wimbledon champion.

But stood in her way is the seemingly unstoppable Serena Williams. The American has enjoyed an unbeaten clay season and dropped just two sets in her last 17 matches. The 30-year-old has stormed back into the world’s top five after victores in North Carolina and Madrid.

The 13-time Slam winner has recently thumped Azarenka 6-1 6-3 to suggest that when fully fit and in the groove, she remains the one to beat in women’s tennis. At best odds of 11/4 (StanJames), Serena is my pick for the Paris major.

The factor that swung the decision is the head-to-head record between Williams and Sharapova. The American has won her last seven encounters against the Russian - a run that stretches all the way back to 2004.

That sort of stranglehold over an opponent takes some shaking and the recent form merely supports the dominant trend. Serena beat Maria a convincing 6-1 6-3 in Madrid earlier this month on clay. I just can’t see the form being reversed at Roland Garros.

Although Serena is the favourite, best odds of 11/4 (StanJames) to win the French Open should be much shorter based on the 2012 she is enjoying, and her undeniable pedigree.