Sunday, May 20th, 2012
The French Open odds still have Rafael Nadal as favourite despite his two defeats on clay by Novak Djokovic.
For the latest French Open men’s singles odds click here
The betting suggests anyone else is an outsider, though the draw does look to have helped Andy Murray. However, it’s a tough grind at Roland Garros, so prepare for surprises!
For more French Open men’s singles odds and bets click here
10/11 Rafael Nadal, 6/4 Novak Djokovic, 14/1 Andy Murray, Roger Federer, 33/1 David Ferrer, Juan Martin Del Potro, 50/1 Robin Soderling
A two horse race then, or so it would appear. Can anyone realistically challenge Nadal or the imperious Djokovic for the Roland Garros crown? Nadal’s game has been shaken up a little by Djokovic attacking some of his certainties and pummelling him with cross court backhands, while the draw looks like it could be very demanding for the Serb.
Nadal’s draw pitches him up against the big serving but not too much else John Isner in Round One – with the balls slightly faster than normally this could delay him but he has a relatively reasonable path until Fernando Verdasco meets him as a likely last 16 opponent, though Rafa’s fellow Spaniard is out of form. Robin Soderling, his projected last 8 opponent is also in a transitional stage with his game as he struggles to find a long term successor to Magnus Norman his coach.
Andy Murray lies in wait in the semi-finals, and we think Murray has a real shot at a decent run here, the way the draw has opened up nicely for him. If things go as scheduled he will face Eric Prodon in Round One, an honourable but modest clay courter, more qualifiers in Round 2 and a projected last 8 match with either Jurgen Melzer or Nicolas Almagro. The one proviso for Murray is he survives an ace off with giant Canadian Milos Raonic in Round Three.
Djokovic’s draw section is not easy – with earlyish matches with Richard Gasquet and Juan Martin Del Potro probaly lying in wait. These might just make it a more demanding run for Djokovic to the final, which could just prove the difference if he gets involved in a brutal final with Nadal. Much as we love Roger Federer, we just can’t see him making an impact on his current clay court form.
We think the value here lies with Andy Murray @ 14/1 with Betfred – you can either ride with it or hedge if, as we assume, looking at the draw, he makes a deep run. Use the link and claim a free bet of up to £50.